New York Fashion Week (NYFW) has announced a major venue change for its upcoming shows in September 2023. After bouncing from various locations over the years, including Bryant Park and Lincoln Center, NYFW will now be held at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan. The building, located between 11th and 12th Avenues and 26th and 27th Streets, offers ample space and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for the fashion event.
The Starrett-Lehigh Building, often referred to as a “cruise ship on land” due to its immense size, has previously hosted individual fashion shows on its 18th floor. The floor, which is a flexible white box event space, covers 68,000 square feet and can accommodate multiple activities simultaneously. An additional 17,000 square feet on the floor below will be dedicated to logistical and technical support.
The building’s other amenities, including a food hall, expo hall, and a soon-to-be-built restaurant, will also be utilized during NYFW. With its high ceilings, vast window area, and stunning river views, the Starrett-Lehigh Building provides the perfect backdrop for the theatricality of Fashion Week.
The move to the Starrett-Lehigh Building is a strategic one for NYFW. The building has been attracting fashion and apparel tenants, including Ralph Lauren, Canada Goose, Zimmermann, and Under Armour. While the building’s vacancy rate remains undisclosed, it has become a hub for creative industries. This transition to a fashion-focused venue strengthens the building’s identity as a creative hub.
The new venue also addresses some of the challenges faced by previous locations. Spring Studios, NYFW’s previous home, struggled to accommodate the growing need for social media activation points and the influx of influencers. The Starrett-Lehigh Building’s prebuilt white box space provides the convenience and support necessary for midsize shows.
However, it’s worth noting that NYFW’s biggest and most extravagant shows will likely continue to take place in unique, site-specific locations. Marc Jacobs, for example, rented the New York Public Library last year, while Tory Burch used a former bank building. The Starrett-Lehigh Building will primarily host midsize shows that can benefit from its infrastructure and amenities.
One of the key advantages of the Starrett-Lehigh Building is its elevator capacity. Unlike smaller loft buildings where attendees often have to wait for a limited number of elevators, the Starrett-Lehigh Building has added 11 additional elevators to accommodate the influx of guests. The building even has a large car elevator that can hold up to 50 or 60 people at a time.
With its impressive size, amenities, and infrastructure, the Starrett-Lehigh Building is poised to provide a seamless and memorable experience for NYFW attendees. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, finding a venue that can meet the demands of both traditional and digital aspects of the event is crucial. The move to the Starrett-Lehigh Building reflects NYFW’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the fashion world.
Original Story at www.curbed.com – 2024-02-06 22:06:52
