When people think of New York City, they think of the bright lights, the larger-than-life skyscrapers, the diverse cultures, the endless activities, and landmarks that attract millions of tourists worldwide each year. As a cultural epicenter, the Big Apple has plenty to offer. It is, of course, also home to many of the flagship locations of some of the most famous and recognizable brands in the world, namely on Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue has a longstanding history spanning as far back as the 19th century, with iconic brands such as Gucci, Armani, Nike, Prada, Versace, and Louis Vuitton establishing their own retail stores along the well-known avenue. We are proud to say that GMS has extensive experience when it comes designing structures to support and help realize the visions of these unique shopping environments. Nationwide, we have been involved in retail projects from new, ground-up constructions to renovations. We work with a wide variety of materials to solve unique challenges that may arise. The GMS team are experts at analyzing complex geometries of architectural amenities, unique storefront systems, canopies, and stairs.
Apple’s iconic Cube at the base of the GM Building was first created when Macklowe Properties redeveloped the Fifth Avenue Plaza to create the revolutionary below-grade retail space in 2005. GMS provided structural engineering, façade consulting, waterproofing consulting, and special inspection services for the original store, as well as the upgrades for Apple and for the other retail spaces within the GM Building. Now known as 767 Fifth Avenue, the building is home to retail tenants including Dior, Balenciaga, Moncler and Under Armor.
At West 56th Street, the newly enlarged Prada store encompasses 724 and 720 Fifth Avenue. The enlargement connected the two buildings at the ground level, refinished the existing architectural stair, supported new cladding to unify the façade, added display windows and interior fit out. GMS provided structural engineering, building envelope consulting and special inspection services.
Several blocks south stands the Microsoft Experience Center at 677 Fifth Avenue. The project involved the renovation of the existing retail space, including the removal of several building columns between the cellar and fourth floors. We also helped with the design of a new glass feature stair, the insertion of a new elevator, and the replacement of the façade with new cable-net wall. The C-shaped stair uses three short flights and two landings between floors levels. The stair, integrated with the glass elevator enclosure, is constructed from a combination of structural glass and hollow steel tube sections.
Across the street from the Microsoft Experience Center stands the UNIQLO Fifth Avenue Flagship at 53rd Street. The store occupies three floors, covering approximately 89,000 square feet. GMS served as the structural engineer and consulted on the design for the curtainwall and interior glass. The design features the extensive reinforcement of the building’s lateral system in order to create an eight-bay atrium opening on two floors, which leads shoppers to the third-floor retail area. We also designed the supports for the new elevators, escalators, specially detailed stairs with back-lit risers, and some unique design features for this particular location, including the platforms for rotating mannequins.
Two blocks down from UNIQLO is the new SKIMS New York City flagship. We provided structural engineering services for the new 3-story, 6,570 square foot store, including structural assistance for the demolition of the existing mezzanine, new ornamental stair framing, structural details for the ceiling soffits, non-bearing interior partitions, and framing to the existing deck.
Down near Madison Square Park you can find the Porcelanosa flagship location. The project required the full gut renovation of the existing six-story building located at 202 Fifth Avenue. The structural renovation removed the center row of columns for the full height of the building, reinforced the exterior walls and reframed seven new floors to span clear across the building. The 18,000 square foot structure was transformed into a trade/retail showroom with accessory office spaces. The project required review by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, NYC Department of Transportation for the sidewalk vault and the MTA Outside Services division, for the subway running below Broadway. GMS provided structural engineering, façade and waterproofing consulting, special inspections, and construction monitoring services.
Our other Fifth Avenue retail projects include Adidas at 565 Fifth Avenue, Dyson at 640 Fifth Avenue, H&M at 589 Fifth Avenue, the former Liz Claiborne location at 650 Fifth Avenue, Gucci’s NYC Flagship at 725 Fifth Avenue, the former Rolex location at 665 Fifth Avenue, Top Shop at 608 Fifth Avenue, Swarovski at 680 Fifth Avenue, Nike at 650 Fifth Avenue, Zara at 660 Fifth Avenue, and Bulgari, Mikimoto, Chanel, Chopard and Zegna at 730 Fifth Avenue. It is safe to say that GMS has a rich history in the retail market not just on Fifth Avenue, but nationwide. Our national and international clients return to us for our elegant solutions, technical excellence, and integrated services. We are immensely proud to have contributed to the overall landscape of Fifth Avenue and look forward to other opportunities that may arise.