Japanese apparel titan Uniqlo is doubling down on its New York City presence, announcing a deal to take full ownership of its flagship store on Fifth Avenue. The move underscores a broader trend among major retail brands seeking to control their own real estate in the world’s premier shopping district.

Uniqlo is executing a two-part transaction to acquire the property. First, the company is buying out the stake held by a retail joint venture between Vornado Realty Trust and an unnamed partner. Vornado, which owns a 52% interest in the venture, will net $340 million from the sale of its portion.

Uniqlo is then purchasing the remainder of the property from Brookfield Properties, which owns the larger 39-story office building at 660 Fifth Avenue that houses the Uniqlo store. Terms of the Brookfield deal were not disclosed.

The transactions, expected to close by Q1 2025, underscore Uniqlo’s confidence in the long-term prospects of its New York flagship. The 90,732-square-foot store, located between 52nd and 53rd Streets, has been a crucial driver of the brand’s U.S. expansion since opening in 2011.

Uniqlo’s move follows a string of high-profile retail real estate plays on Fifth Avenue. Luxury giants Prada and Kering have also recently purchased properties along the iconic shopping corridor, seeking greater control over their flagship store experiences.

For Vornado, the sale allows the real estate investment trust to pay down $390 million in preferred equity on the 666 Fifth Avenue property. The REIT will retain ownership of several other retail assets along Fifth Avenue through its joint venture.

The transactions come as New York’s retail market shows signs of a post-pandemic rebound, bolstered by a resurgence in tourism and office occupancy. Vornado reported a rise in its New York retail occupancy rate to 77% in the second quarter, up from 75% a year earlier.

Uniqlo’s strategic real estate play underscores the brand’s long-term confidence in the Big Apple. By owning its marquee Fifth Avenue location outright, the company positions itself for continued growth in the world’s premier shopping destination.

Source: CoStar News 
Photo via Unsplash | Yoav Aziz