Department store domination: The fabulous forefathers of our current NYC shopping greatness - by Faith Hope Consolo

When the ‘Queen of Retail’ is asked where is the best shopping in Manhattan…my forever favorites will be Madison Ave. and Fifth Ave. Not because I live on Fifth and my office is on Madison (pure coincidence… or is it) but because they are the shopping destinations for luxury and is a parade of the most magnificent flagships in the world. When one describes shopping greatness, the fabulous forefathers are the department stores and I promise you they are beyond anything you have ever imagined. From uptown to downtown, eastside to westside, my department store diary is certainly exciting!

The Four “B’s”

Madison Ave. is home to Barney’s New York, 660 Madison Ave. and famed Bloomingdale’s can be found at 59th St. and Lexington Ave. A New York landmark since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman located at 5th Ave. and 58th St., represents the pinnacle of style, service, and modern luxury. Perfectly positioned across Fifth Ave. is Bergdorf Goodman Men, the temple of design and unrivaled standalone luxury specialty store. Henri Bendel, 712 5th Ave. has been an icon for more than a century after its inception, and continues to delight and serve fashionable women, to seek out the best of The New & The Next and to always experiment and innovate; thus the legacy of the Bendel Girl. Barney’s New York Downtown, 101 Seventh Ave., Chelsea, with a sprawling, four-floor flagship and has a warm and inviting vibe.

Saks, L & T and Macys

Saks Fifth Ave. is one of the most famous luxury retailers in the world and is the destination for fashion-conscious men and women. The flagship store at 611 Fifth Ave. at 50th St. opened in 1924 and has served the stylish for over three-quarters of a century and has launched new concept stores. The Wellery concept shop where guests can find more than 16,000 s/f of “immersive experiences dedicated to wellness” and features a “curated edit” of products, classes and services for living a “healthier and more balanced life.” There are 22 individual spaces offering en vogue fitness classes and equipment, active wear and athleisure apparel, skincare products and treatments all organized personally for the shopper by a dedicated Saks Wellery concierge on-site to offer suggestions and guide shoppers through the space.  Ten years ago, Saks introduced its colossal 10022-Shoe mecca at this location; so big that it deserved its own ZIP code and put footwear at the forefront…not to be missed. 

Most recently we have expanded our Department Store Map with the addition of Saks Fifth Ave. at Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty St. that is jaw dropping beautiful with innovative architecture, advanced designers and the most visionary services in the city. Lord and Taylor, 424 5th Ave., is the oldest luxury department store in the U.S. and spans multi- level landmarked building that is the quintessential Big Apple shopping experiences and simply breathtaking holiday windows and décor; be sure to grab lunch in Sarabeth’s Café, 6th floor and experience the new Dress Address concept. We wrap up our tour with iconic Macy’s Herald Square, 151 West 34th St. that is synonymous with the holidays and reminds me of childhood excitement.

Coming Soon

I am also eagerly awaiting The Neiman Marcus flagship store that’s being built in Midtown Manhattan that will span three floors of the Shops & Restaurants of Hudson Yards. Nordstrom’s first Manhattan location, a seven-story flagship store at the base of Central Park Tower, on West 57th St. will be men’s and women’s and is under construction. The anticipated opening date for the Nordstrom store has been pushed from 2018 to 2019.

 Happy Shopping!

Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Leasing, Marketing and Sales Division, New York, N.Y.