United American Land with Dreamscape unveil BKX - 440,000 s/f retail and entertainment destination

Brooklyn, NY United American Land, a family-owned real estate development, investment and management company, together with partners The Jackson Group and Dreamscape Retail & Entertainment, unveiled BKX, a retail and experiential destination that will transform the former Macy’s building at 422 Fulton St. into one of the city’s largest and most ambitious retail developments.

Spanning 440,000 s/f across five levels, BKX represents the largest contiguous block of retail space available in New York City. Designed for flagship retail, immersive entertainment, hospitality and experiential concepts, the project reflects a new generation of destinations built around experience as much as commerce.

As part of the transformation, Dreamscape worked with experiential design firm iCrave to create BKX’s signature central atrium – a dramatic shared gathering space envisioned as the heart of the destination, bringing together retail, entertainment and cultural programming through a cohesive visitor experience.

BKX arrives as the borough continues to experience unprecedented residential, commercial and institutional growth. Anchored by destinations like Barclays Center and MetroTech, and home to leading educational institutions including NYU and New York City College of Technology, the neighborhood has added more than 22,000 new housing units in recent years. In addition to the growing office market, millions of annual visitors have transformed the district, creating one of New York City’s fastest-growing mixed-use districts.

Replacing one of Brooklyn’s most recognizable department store buildings with a flexible destination built for today’s consumer, BKX is designed to accommodate flagship retailers, entertainment concepts, immersive attractions, food and beverage experiences and next-generation brands seeking a highly visible urban presence.

“When we acquired this property, we saw an opportunity to reimagine one of New York’s most iconic sites for the next generation,” said Albert Laboz, principal of United American Land, LLC. “Rather than pursuing a traditional retail redevelopment, we’re creating a destination that reflects how people want to spend time today – bringing together entertainment, dining, retail and community under one roof. BKX represents our belief in Downtown Brooklyn and its future as one of New York City’s most dynamic mixed-use neighborhoods, where people come to live, work, learn and explore.”

“BKX represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a first of its kind urban entertainment destination,” said Joshua Strauss, president of retail & entertainment at Dreamscape. “Consumers today are looking for more than a traditional shopping experience. They’re excited by places that blend retail, entertainment, dining, culture and community, and BKX has been envisioned to meet that demand under one roof, at a scale that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in New York.”

“New York has incredible retail, incredible entertainment and incredible dining, but they’re rarely brought together as a single, cohesive destination,” said Scott Zinovoy, senior vice president of retail & entertainment at Dreamscape. “BKX is an opportunity to create something the city doesn’t have today – an ecosystem where flagship retail, immersive entertainment, dining and cultural experiences all exist under one roof, complementing each other. Whether you’re coming with your family on a Saturday afternoon or meeting friends for dinner and entertainment in the evening, BKX is designed to be a destination people return to again and again.” 

Positioned directly above one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs, BKX offers unmatched regional connectivity with access to 11 subway lines, Long Island Rail Road service nearby, and thousands of daily commuters and visitors passing through Downtown Brooklyn. Combined with its prominent Fulton Street frontage and iconic architecture, the project delivers exceptional visibility and brand exposure for retailers, entertainment operators and hospitality concepts seeking a flagship presence in one of the city’s fastest-growing markets.

BKX offers highly flexible floor plates spanning 60,000-70,000 s/f, with 17.5-22.5 ft. ceilings capable of accommodating flagship retail, immersive entertainment, food halls, destination dining, wellness concepts, cultural programming and large-format branded experiences. Opportunities range from multi-level anchor spaces to curated specialty retail, allowing brands to create highly customized flagship environments with unparalleled visibility. Leasing is currently underway.