Chic Centers: Multidimensional Shopping

As we move closer to the holiday shopping frenzy, I pause to contemplate those centers of consumerism where true devotees can get it all under one roof. Of course, I can start in my own back yard at Time Warner Center and branch out to the outer boroughs. The Shops at Columbus Circle comprise the most sophisticated of urban shopping malls. Step inside and you are instantly transported to a serene, sunny, almost zen-like atmosphere where gigantic Fernando Botero sculptures accentuate soaring ceiling heights and Jazz at Lincoln Center is a neighbor. Here in the center of Manhattan's West Side is a collection of crème de la crème retailers that includes A|X Armani Exchange, The Art of Shaving, Bose, BOSS Hugo Boss, Coach, Davidoff of Geneva, Godiva Chocolatier, J.W. Cooper, L'Occitane, Sephora, Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski, Thomas Pink, Tourneau, TUMI, Williams-Sonoma & Williams-Sonoma Home and Wolford. Time Warner Center's Restaurant and Bar Collection has become one of the most important destinations for dining in the country with award-wining establishments from the likes of chefs Thomas Keller, Masayoshi Takayama, Michael Lomonaco and Marc Murphy, as well as nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber. It is the only place in the world in which you'll find three Michelin 3-Star rated restaurants under one roof: Per Se, Masa and A Voce (which means "word of mouth"). In addition, there's chef Masa Takayama's (who also owns Masa next door) Bar Masa, Bouchon Bakery, Landmarc, Porter House New York and Stone Rose Lounge with its lighter fare. Borders Books & Music Store has a Dean & Deluca nestled inside and there's also dining available at Whole Foods Market, whether you choose the austere sushi bar or the cafeteria style tables clustered near the front of the store. The best is that you'll never go hungry at Time Warner Center if you have an appetite for great food, super shopping or eclectic cultural offerings. Queens Center is the only New York City mall owned by super shopping center owner, Macerich. Located in Elmhurst, Queens at the intersection of Queens Blvd. and Woodhaven Blvd., it has an impressive collection of 150 stores and is considered one of the most profitable malls on a per s/f in the U.S., with 2002 sales of $953 per s/f, almost triple the national average. A two-year major renovation of the mall that was completed in 2004, doubled its size by adding another section across the street from the original center. The two wings are connected by a large multi-level bridge, that seamlessly combines them together on the inside on the upper floors over 92nd St. This sprawling center is home to the likes of A|X Armani Exchange, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, bebe, Club Monaco, Coach, Forever 21, GEOX, Godiva Chocolatier, Guess, H&M, JCPenney, Macy*s, The Body Shop, Urban Outfitters and 135 more not to miss destinations, but you get the picture. Exclusive tidbit: during the recent Fashion's Night Out that kicked off New York Fashion Week, Anna Wintour along with Michael Kors , Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Hudson, Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the cast of the musical "Hair" were celebrating right here in Queens. Next up, Roosevelt Field is the largest shopping mall in the state of New York and eighth in the country located in East Garden City, New York, just to the east of the Village of Garden City on Long Island. The anchors of the 270-store mall are Bloomingdale's, JCPenney, Macy's and Nordstrom. It was constructed on the site of Roosevelt Field, an airport and military airfield where Charles Lindbergh took off on his historic trans-Atlantic flight. At one time, there was a plaque at the north end of the mall that marked the spot where Lindbergh left the ground. Today the plaque is inside of the mall outside of the Disney Store. Ground was broken on the 35 million dollar project in April 1955. The first and original anchor of the mall was a two-level Macy's which opened on August 22, 1956. A major extension was completed in 1963. An upper level of stores and food court was established in 1993 after a major renovation which started in 1991. Simon Property Group took ownership of the mall when they had acquired Corporate Property Investors in 1998. Stars of this center include: Abercrombie & Fitch, American Apparel, Anthropologie, Bare Escentuals, BCBG MAXAZRIA, Bloomingdale's, Brooks Brothers, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Club Monaco, Diesel, Dylan's Candy Bar, Lindt Chocolate, Lululemon Athletica, Michael Kors, Sephora and Teavana. These three malls are a definite reflection of their demographics. Shopping is defined by who visits, who frequents and the lifestyles they live. Manhattan is a center of luxury, dining aficionados, tourists and the dwellers of the multimillion dollar homes above. Queens is more diverse, family-oriented and frequented by a younger urban cross-section. Long Island is a combination of both and this particular center I have defined is in a well-heeled area that knows how to shop and to shop chic. Happy Shopping! Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Leasing, Marketing and Sales Division, New York, N.Y.