Louis Vuitton is planning to expand its presence on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with a new flagship store that will be significantly larger and taller than its predecessor. LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton, has submitted an application to the Department of City Planning for approval to construct a 25-story building at 1 East 57th Street in the Plaza District, according to Crain’s.
The proposed structure would reach 485 feet in height and cover approximately 148,000 square feet, making it five stories taller and considerably more spacious than the current building, which is being demolished. The previous property was 20 stories tall and had about 91,000 square feet.
Plans for the new building include a 10-story flagship retail space described as a “world-class experiential retail destination,” according to the DCP application. Additional features are set to include a cafe and terrace with views of Central Park on the eighth floor, four floors dedicated to exposition space focused on Louis Vuitton’s brand history, as well as a luxury spa, showroom suites, restaurants, and a top-floor bar and garden.
LVMH is seeking nearly 25,000 additional square feet through a floor-area bonus. In return for this increase in size, LVMH has committed to making improvements at the nearby Lexington Avenue-59th Street subway station. These upgrades would include installing an elevator compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
LVMH did not respond to requests for comment regarding these plans.
Demolition of the existing flagship began after LVMH filed plans about a year ago. The site currently features scaffolding decorated with Louis Vuitton branding styled as stacked trunks.
Discussions about revamping the flagship have been ongoing for several years. Reports from last year indicated that LVMH was considering prominent architects for the project; however, no architect was named in the recent city planning application.
In addition to its New York expansion efforts, LVMH is also reworking its real estate holdings elsewhere. Plans are underway for a new Tiffany & Co. store at the former Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel site in Los Angeles and for another large Louis Vuitton location designed by Frank Gehry.
