115 5th Avenue NY | Victoria’s Secret
Commanding a long-time presence in New York, Victoria’s Secret is considered THE destination for chic women’s clothing, sultry swimwear, must-have shoes and accessories, and beauty products. Along with the constant presence of female customers, male shoppers quietly show up before Valentine’s Day and the Christmas holiday period. Given the demand Victoria’s Secret generated for its quality but affordable lingerie products, it’s no surprise that it currently has 1,000 stores throughout
the USA.
Aside from its retail stores and sales generated through its website and mailed catalogs (totaling over US$6 billion in 2012), Victoria’s Secret is best-known for its televised fashion shows. As one customer noted, “it’s Valentine’s Day every day” at this and other Victoria’s Secret stores.
115 5th Avenue NY | Madewell
An emerging women’s apparel retailer, this is Madewell’s second location in New York. A quirky assortment of denim, dresses, shoes and bags can be found at this Lower 5th Avenue location. Shoppers have given the store’s staff high marks for its customer service.
One shopper described Madewell’s collection as being akin to J. Crew’s younger sister, with a hipster crowd in mind. Those who have visited Madewell found that portions of its collection consist of designs by former British fashion model and TV personality Alexa Chung.
111 5th Avenue NY | H&M
The Swedish apparel retailer H&M grew in popularity in America over the years, which is reflected by its 11 locations in Manhattan. It initially made a splash selling affordable fashion items to local consumers at its first New York location (51st Street & 5th Avenue), before making its citywide expansion afterwards. Like its other stores, this H&M location is bright, with giant mannequins displaying the latest looks, and house music thumping throughout. Beware of crowded dressing rooms, thanks to the popularity of its clothes with tourists and bargain-hunting locals.
Along with its popular stores at Lexington Avneue & 59th Street (near Bloomingdale’s) and 34th Street & 7th Avenue (across the street from Macy’s), H&M expanded into this spot near East 18th Street to catch the foot traffic from nearby college students (including those attending Baruch College at East 23rd St. & Lexington Avenue).
H&M’s expansion in Manhattan continued when it decided to open an outlet at 48th Street & 5th Avenue – just three blocks away from its 51st Street location. Its management felt it can afford to do so, there there’s heavy shopper foot traffic in that area (Rockefeller Center), especially during the holiday season.
110 5th Avenue NY | Joe Fresh
Canadian apparel retailer Joe Fresh took over a space in Lower Fifth Avenue formerly occupied by Esprit in 2011, fueled by its initial success with a store it set up in the affluent vacation enclave of East Hampton, NY. It’s orange (and white lettering) logo is hard to miss. Even though it has “Gap-like” apparel lines for men, women and children (as well as shoes, handbags, jewelry, beauty products and bath items), Joe Fresh has made efforts to appeal to nearby college students by conducting discount promotions specifically for them.
Joe Fresh is distinctive in that it got its original retail start in Canadian grocery stores. It hopes to expand upon its New York entry into other parts of USA. The store’s self-described “must have” items for women include its turtle necks, neoprene jackets, gold jeans, fringed skirts, silk blouses and chunky knits.
105 5th Avenue NY | Barnes and Noble Books
Known for decades by high school and college students, Barnes and Noble book store has its flagship location here (which opened at this retail space back in 1932). With its corporate headquarters nearby (122 5th Avenue), this used to be the book store for students to purchase their course books for the entire school year.
By the late 1980s, Barnes and Noble moved beyond the student course book market when it purchased the B. Dalton book store chain. With that acquisition (where Barnes and Noble taking over B. Dalton’s 797 stores), it became a national chain, and eventually moved into online sales as well, and in more recent times electronic book sales (complete with sales of its electronic book reader, the Nook).
These days, along with book and magazine sales, this and other Barnes and Noble branches grew in popularity because of the presence of Starbucks cafes (with many offering free Wi-Fi service), as well as its occasional celebrity book promotions.
103 5th Avenue NY | Sperry Top Sider
This 1,700 sq. ft. shoe store attracts both NYU students and tourists who are looking for a variety of casual men’s, women’s and children’s footwear. Some of its footwear still reflects its New England nautical roots – reminiscent of the Nautica apparel brand. To no surprise, the store’s decor is loosely boathouse-inspired, with whitewashed wood and teak detailing, and American-flag artwork.
Sperry Top-Sider moved into this location in early 2012. Customers were surprised to find that they are allowed to go straight to the back stockroom area to find their size rather than waiting on someone to help them. Though Sperry is known for its original white-soled boat shoes, the range here extends far beyond the nautical staple, and includes oxfords, boots, ballet flats, and wedges.
Before Sperry Top-Sider took this retail space (its very first in New York), the famed ladies handbag, accessories and apparel brand Juicy Couture had this location (the smallest of its other Manhattan locations).
101 5th Avenue NY | Zara Apparel
At 101 5th Avenue you´ll find the major Spanish apparel retailer which has better-known locations at 42nd Street & 5th Avenue, and Broadway & 66th Street in the trendy Upper West Side district. Like those locations, this Lower Fifth Avenue location is a hit among both tourists and locals.
At each airy, split-level boutique, shoppers find sculptured blazers, slim trousers, and ethnic-edged pieces like breezy boho-chic tops and safari skirts for women; men can browse through the excellent selection of suiting, dress shirts, and knitwear.
While most of the stock tends toward dressier, office-appropriate styles, casual sportswear like shorts, hoodies, and tees, as well as seasonal outerwear, occupies a solid chunk of the selling floor.
461 5th Avenue NY | BCBG Max Azria
Fashion retailer BCBG Max Azria Group moved into this location in 2007, at a time when New York was starting to go through its continued tourism boom. This spot (on East 40th Street & 5th Avenue, just across from the New York Public Library), is just two blocks away from 42nd Street – which has one of the heaviest volumes of foot traffic in Manhattan.
BCBG is known for its signature collection of high-fashion, ready-to-wear apparel and accessories, and has been gradually expanding its retail presence nationally and internationally through free-standing locations under the BCBG Max Azria name as well as other specialty boutiques, and in department stores worldwide.
424 5th Avenue NY | Lord & Taylor
Lord &Taylor is the oldest upscale specialty department store in the USA. Founded in 1826 in Lower Manhattan, it relocated to its present site in 1914 (and declared a landmark in 2007). It offers shoppers clothing, footwear, jewelry, beauty products, fragrances, electronics, bedding and housewares.
Local shoppers like Lord & Taylor because tourists haven’t discovered it yet. The store’s weathered exterior deceives visitors into thinking it’s just another New York office building, lending it a more relaxed environment for serious local customers.
With constant competition from better-regarded department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Barney’s, Lord &Taylor always sales on everything from seasonal looks and outerwear to personal essentials like cosmetics and intimates. Find popular brands for men, women, and kids, like DKNY and Ralph Lauren, in addition to the store’s own labels, Identity and Kate Hill for women, and Thomas for men. The store’s especially strong in dresses for day and evening—often difficult to find in a separates-happy fashion universe—and feminine suiting for the office or after. Fashion jewelry, trendy accessories and an extensive bra/lingerie department round out the selection.
400 5th Avenue NY | Langham Place
The 57-story building Langham Place was constructed in 2010 by an Italian investor group, Bi and Di Real Estate Spa (which also built the 25-story “Edificio Atlantic” condo tower in Havana, Cuba). It has a five-star hotel (with 214 rooms) and condominium tower residences (The Setai Fifth Avenue).
Apartments at Langham Place are in the upper floors, above the 214 hotel rooms. A private entrance on 36th Street leads to the residences, the interiors of which were designed by Das Concepts Inc. Units are equipped with Miele washers and dryers, black oak flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Amenities include a residents’ lounge on the 11th floor that has ample outdoor seating, fireplaces, a Plunge Pool and an Auriga Spa and Aqua Grotto. Setai Fifth Avenue at Langham Place homeowners also have access to such services as airport transportation, childcare and on-call physicians, dentists and pharmacists.
