Zara launches newest flagship in the heart of SoHo

Fashion brand Zara, belonging to Spanish multinational fashion retailer Inditex Group, has launched its flagship store on 503-511 Broadway in the US. Spanning 47,361 sqft, the store is located in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighbourhood, one of the world’s best known shopping districts, between Broome and Spring Streets representing some of the best late 19th century retail architecture in the city.

“This Zara flagship store is particularly relevant for several reasons – quality and size of the location; the environmental component promoting the goals of our eco-efficient store project; the store design; and its technological proposal. From today forward this new flagship will undoubtedly be a global benchmark,” says Inditex chairman Pablo Isla.

Spread across three floors, Zara’s newest Manhattan store boasts huge retail space, ample room for showcasing everything the brand has to offer women, men and kids for spring/summer 2016. The store is designed entirely by Zara’s architecture team, who were faced with the challenge of blending the city’s past with its future. Massive effort was made to recover the building’s landmark features. Its original cast iron facade, interior and brick wall now blends with a rationalist and airy interior highlighting beauty, clarity, functionality and sustainability – the guiding principles of Zara’s image.

In keeping with Inditex Group’s goal to have 100% eco-efficient stores by 2020, Zara SoHo sets the standards for highly demanding sustainability measures across all its processes, combining these efforts with energy efficiency and recycling in order to consume 30% less energy and 50% less water compared to a conventional store. Backed by these sustainability-oriented features, Zara SoHo has applied for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, awarded to green buildings by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

Notably Zara’s new SoHo venue, purchased by the brand in 2015, was built in 1878 by architect John B Snook and is one of the emblematic buildings found in the area known as the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District, named for the widespread use of this material.