The fashion crowd is making its mark on the Financial District and the New Downtown. Back in May, Balenciaga took over the New York Stock Exchange for an exclusive fashion show that blended nostalgia for the New York City of the 1980s with the contemporary desire for limited drops and oversized garments. It was a wild night full of celebs, models wearing latex masks, and imagery that harkened back to the era of the film “Wall Street,” when greed was good and the taxi surcharge was a mere $1.50. Now, with the recent announcement that Printemps will open its flagship U.S. store in the base of One Wall Street, Parisian fashion is making its presence in the Financial District permanent.
The original Printemps location opened in Paris well over a hundred years ago on the city’s iconic Boulevard Haussmann, and the founders’ approach to selling their merchandise revolutionized the world of retail. Gone were the days of haggling over prices and watching the same stock sit on shelves indefinitely. Printemps brought new fashions to their hangers each season, posted their prices, and offered discounts for out-of-date apparel — innovations that are foundational to modern retail practices.
In 2024, the retailer’s 159th year of business, the first U.S. Printemps location will open at the foot of One Wall Street, the new collection of Lower Manhattan condos for sale from legendary developer Harry Macklowe. The location at the base of the renovated Art Deco landmark makes sense both economically and aesthetically, bringing high-end retail to the increasingly residential area around the Stock Exchange, while situating itself in a historic building befitting Printemps’ legacy. Leading the project will be CEO of Printemps America Laura Lendrum, whose experience as president for Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren for the North American market makes her the perfect choice to bring this European brand into the American spotlight.
The 54,365-square-foot store will feature two stories of retail space laid out by award-winning Parisian interior designer Laura Gonzalez, who intends to blend Parisian and New York style to create a unique shopping environment. The store’s footprint will include the building’s iconic Red Room, an Art Deco-era hall entirely clad in red and gold mosaic tiles, adding a slice of architectural heritage to the endeavor. While details are being kept close, Jean-Marc Bellaiche, CEO of Groupe Printemps, said in a statement that the Wall Street store will pioneer a new format of retailing that combines the online and brick-and-mortar worlds into a seamless consumer experience.
Printemps will join Whole Foods Market and Life Time Fitness as flagship retail tenants at the base of One Wall Street. If you’re interested in living in one of the building’s 566 luxury condos, head to the availability page and contact our team today to find the perfect sky-high FiDi home for you.