Takashimaya is much less known to residents and visitors than its neighbors on Fifth Avenue. Many people I have queried have never heard of it at all. Surprising, because it is an exquisite aesthetic experience to visit this high-end retailer (perhaps not surprising – their NY website is in Japanese with no English version.) Click here for interior photos.
Takashimaya NY is a mini version of the Japanese department store which was founded in Kyoto in 1829 – they have stores throughout Japan and now in New York, Taipei, Paris, and Singapore. What’s interesting is that Takashimaya has had a few previous small retail gift shops/salons on Fifth Avenue which were not particularly successful. In 1991, they built a 20-story building and took occupancy of the first five floors at 693 Fifth Avenue (54th-55th Streets), investing $60 million in the project.
The facade is a beautiful limestone with black granite columns. The lobby has high ceilings with a beautiful flower shop and an enormous striking floral centerpiece which can be seen from the street windows. The store has an unusual selection of merchandise – each floor is a serene boutique experience. The store carries Japanese clothing, housewares, and gifts and is also home to the Tea Box cafe and the Babor spa. Even if you are not a shopper, I recommend a visit…
Update: Takashimaya closed its New York location in June of 2010. See article here.
Takashimaya is one of my favorite stores. It is absolutely gorgeous and your photo is magnificent.
Those windows have to be 80 feet tall! A glorious place and one I would definitely visit now. I wonder what their stores in Japan look like. Maybe similar on the inside.
No reason not to drop in if you’re touring 5th Avenue near Rock Center.
Brian
Personally I’m very impressed with the fellow riding his bicycle down 5th Avenue!
I love the way you see New York from the outsiders perspective. I often wander around this city looking for places that I se you too have discovered. Kudos to you for having both eyes open
After Macy’s, I’m heading to Takashimaya. Nice shot of the storefront dispite all the traffic!
What a spectacular shot!
You really captured the two worlds so well: the street and the inside, how did you do this?
I remember designing the windows on this project. It seems like a long time ago. Of course I was a lot younger then haha. I am still designing, just for another window company. I also did one project near the WTC complex. I heard they had to demolish it even though it was over a block away from ground zero to the North.