Since its conception in 1907 and throughout time, Neiman Marcus has held a revered place on luxury shopping while delighting its costumers with interesting, interactive, and immersive experiences across a physical 43-store presence in the U.S. From North to South, West to East Neiman Marcus store experiences is palpable and unique.
Their newly opened Hudson Yards location means to top and match the best of what the company represents.
Hudson Yards is a new neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side being developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. Hudson Yards will be home to more than 100 shops and restaurants, including New York City’s first Neiman Marcus, an array of experiential and online retailers, and a collection of leading brands in every category from luxury to fast fashion.
The Look
Having collaborated with several renowned companies including Related, Janson Goldstein, and Avro|Ko to create a space that connects the heritage of Neiman Marcus with the vibrancy and texture of the new Hudson Yards neighborhood. The spectacular store boasts the most exciting and innovative shopping and dining destination. With costumer-centric shopping experience throughout three levels of luxury fashion, digital innovation, and delectable dining, all located on levels 6, 6, and 7.
Janson Goldstein’s intention was to connect the industrial materiality of NYC’s West Side with Neiman Marcus’ reputation for modern luxury. The inspiration for the store design began as an interplay of the raw and the refined. While the store’s palette was inspired by the industrial past of Hudson Yards, Janson Goldstein married their inspiration to the modern elegance of Neiman Marcus by executing the project in exquisite materials that are evocative without being literal. Thus, concrete becomes Italian Breccia stone, steel becomes bronze, the stone becomes terrazzo, paint becomes lacquer and more.
Keeping with the Neiman Marcus tradition, Hudson Yards concentrates on bringing new works from local artists or artists with strong ties to the area. Working directly with various galleries, dealers, and artists to assemble the collection. The Neiman Marcus Hudson Yards Art Collection includes original Halston sketches, a Frank Stella painting, a Roy Lichtenstein print, photographs by Roxanne Lowit, and Bill Cunningham’s Battle of Versailles. Art relocated from other stores includes pieces originally curated by Stanley Marcus. There are newly acquired pieces from international artists including Elias Sime, Ian Davenport, Shinpei Kusanagi, and Caetano de Almeida. Neiman Marcus is also featuring a first-of-its-kind digitally curated art wall by artist Colby Mugrabi, under her pseudonym Minnie Muse.
Giving back
Neiman Marcus is known for its rich history of supporting its communities. In 2013, they refined their charitable giving focus toward organizations that provide enriching art education and experiences to youth.
In celebration of opening its first New York City store, Neiman Marcus identified the High Line as its local partner organization. A High Line is an inspiring place for families to explore public art, horticulture, and history on any day of the year. It also hosts special family programs throughout the summer months to encourage families to play, create, and learn together. A donation from Neiman Marcus in support of family and youth arts programs will allow the High Line to engage New Yorkers and visitors alike in a series of free public events this summer. These programs seek to spark creativity, enrich the High Line experience, and embolden local youth.
This support comes at a pivotal moment as the High Line prepares to open the Spur, which is the last remaining section of the original rail structure at 30th Street and 10th Avenue, visible from the Neiman Marcus store. The focal point of the Spur will be the High Line Plinth, a destination for monumental public art commissions that will inform the activities and themes of the High Line’s family programs.
The experience
Neiman Marcus Hudson Yards was conceived as an environment which will offer experiences and services that elevate interaction with the customer and exceeds their expectations in every way. The store boasts several noteworthy offerings such as Digital stylists connecting with shoppers from the new “Digital Styling Lounge” on Level 7. Here stylists who’ve connected with customers digitally will have space to seamlessly engage with their clients in an intimate shopping experience. A Personal Shopping Lounge where Manhattan’s elite shoppers can work one-on-one with Neiman Marcus Hudson Yards skilled stylists to find the perfect looks for them.
The Men’s Club Room features a private fitting room and styling experience.
Memory Makeover mirrors that record beauty demonstration and make-up tutorials which can be texted and emailed to customers.
Sunglass Mirror stations allow customers to record and digitally compare up to four sunglasses on them, giving them the opportunity to select the perfect pair.
Rockbot audio services allow customers to access and modify the store’s music playlist like a digital jukebox.
The store is new and bright and super specious – something that you rarely see in NY. Their opening was magical in all aspects with the one and only Liza Minelli performing New York throughout the evening as well as many unique experiences. The event was hosted by style guru and tv personality Brad Goreski & it’s now-former vice president Ken Downing.
There is a lot to be said for such leap of faith on its NY costumers but from a store with such legendary trajectory and one who that has worn the crown on excellence for so long one wouldn’t expect anything less.
