Nordstrom’s massive flagship store officially opens to the public next week, seven years after the company first announced its move to New York City. The department store sits in the base of the Central Park Tower, currently the tallest residential building in the world, and takes up seven floors. And while the tower no longer shares the company’s name, the sheer size of the flagship, along with its unique glass facade, will still make the store stand out. To celebrate the store’s opening on Oct. 24 at West 57th and Broadway, there will be grand opening festivities taking place with lots of free samples, complimentary food, and live entertainment.
Designed by James Carpenter Design Associates (JCDA) with Nordstrom, the store is one of the first new locations to open in Manhattan since the 1920s, according to the company. The wavy, glass facade is meant to provide cool views from both the store and street-level while allowing lots of natural light to flood the space. Other modern perks include 19-foot ceilings and an open floor plan.
Measuring 320,000 square feet across seven floors, with two below street level and five below, the flagship offers a wide selection of merchandise across various price points. The flagship will also offer limited-time concepts from major brands, including Burberry, Nike, Comme des Garcon, Tory Burch, and Christian Louboutin. In April of last year, Nordstrom opened The Men’s Store across the street at 235 West 57th Street, which became the company’s first-ever stand-alone store for men.
Nordstrom doesn’t just focus on shopping, but the experience of shopping. The store will provide services for customers that are on the go, like express alterations, 24/7 online order pick-up in the store, next day delivery, cell phone charging stations, and leather repair.
The store will also offer a collection of unique food and beverage options. Restaurants include Wolf, an Italian restaurant run by Seattle-based chef Ethan Stowell, as well as Jeannie’s, a pizza and pasta restaurant, and a Pacific Rim-inspired spot called Hani Pacific, both run by another Seattle chef, Tom Douglas.
The Broadway Bar on the second floor will serve cocktails and small plates, a cocktail bar with an all-day menu called the Shoe Bar will set up on the shoe floor of the store, and Bistro Verde will offer soups, seafood, and salads on the fifth floor, with outdoor seating expected next year.
Grand opening celebrations kick off on Thursday, Oct. 24 with a “beauty bash” between 8 and 10 a.m. Get your makeup done, learn about beauty tips from experts, and get your hands on some free samples. Doors to the full store will officially open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with free food and live music.
The party continues over the weekend, with a fall-themed block party on Saturday on Broadway between West 57th and West 59th Streets, which promises even more free food and giveaways. Get the details here.