100 West 33rd Street
| Company type | Commercial building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail, Office |
| Founded | September 29, 1929 in New York City, United States |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Retail space, Office space |
| Parent | Vornado Realty Trust (since 2006) |
Overview
100 West 33rd Street is situated in the Midtown Manhattan area of New York City, New York, United States. Originally designed by architect Daniel Burnham, the building opened its doors in 1929. It initially served as the flagship location for the Gimbels department store until 1986. Following Gimbels' departure, Abraham & Straus took over in 1989, which later transitioned to Stern's in 1995 before closing in 2001. The vacant space was then occupied by JCPenney from 2009 until its closure in 2020. The interior retail corridor was first branded as A&S Plaza between 1989 and 1995, then renamed Manhattan Mall from 1995 through 2021. During this time, the upper floors were transformed into office areas while retail operations consolidated.
As of 2022, the former mall concourse serves primarily as an expansive lobby area for the offices above. The building offers direct street-level access to Sixth Avenue and includes entrances to both the New York City Subway's Template:Stn station and the PATH's Template:Stn station located on the second basement level.
History
Initially constructed as the flagship location for the Gimbels department store chain, this building was the brainchild of renowned architect Daniel Burnham. It officially opened its doors on September 29, 1910. Situated among the prominent department stores encircling Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan, it featured approximately 27 acres (110,000 m2) of retail space. One of its key advantages was the numerous entrances providing direct access to the Herald Square New York City Subway station. However, by the time Gimbels ceased operations in 1986, this location had gained notoriety for having the world’s highest "shrinkage" rate, referring to losses from shoplifting. Additionally, several doors connected to the Gimbels Passageway, a pedestrian tunnel beneath 33rd Street that linked Penn Station with both the 34th Street subway and 33rd Street (PATH) stations. This passageway was closed during the 1990s amid heightened security concerns linked to increased crime rates.
Following Gimbels' closure in 1986, the building underwent renovations and reopened in 1989 as A&S Plaza, anchored by an A&S department store. Initially spanning 13 stories, the mall struggled financially due to poor accessibility to its upper floors.
In 1995, A&S transitioned into Stern's, and the complex was rebranded as Manhattan Mall. By September 2000, Federated Department Stores announced plans to shutter the Stern's outlet in Manhattan. The store ultimately closed in January 2001, shortly before Federated discontinued the Stern's brand entirely. Afterward, the former anchor space was subdivided into smaller retail units, including a relocated food court and a Steve & Barry's. The top ten floors were repurposed into office space soon after Stern’s departure.
The property changed hands when Venture purchased it in 1999 for $135 million and later sold it to Vornado Realty Trust in 2006 for $689 million.
On April 18, 2007, JCPenney revealed plans to establish a 150,000-square-foot (14,000 m2) anchor store occupying the mall’s lower levels—marking JCPenney’s inaugural presence in Manhattan. At that time, the mall’s food court housed Manhattan’s only Arby's restaurant. To accommodate JCPenney’s arrival, the food court along with retailers such as Steve & Barry's, Brookstone, and Nine West were closed in 2008. JCPenney officially opened there on July 31, 2009. However, on July 7, 2020, JCPenney permanently shut this location as part of a nationwide plan to close 151 stores. By November 2021, clothing retailer Aeropostale took over the former Express storefront at the mall’s front with an external entrance remaining accessible. This left LensCrafters as the sole remaining tenant inside; meanwhile, pedestrian access to the mall itself has been closed off and LensCrafters operates by appointment only.
Prominent Tenants
| Tenant | Opening Year |
Closing Year |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham & Straus | 1989 | 1995 | |
| Arby's | 2007 | Sole Manhattan outlet | |
| Gimbels | 1929 | 1986 | |
| JCPenney | 2009 | 2020 | Manhattan's inaugural store |
| LensCrafters | Template:N/A | Final occupant in mall corridor | |
| Stern's | 1995 | 2001 |
Image Collection
-
Promotional material marking the launch of Gimbels' main store, 1910
-
Manhattan Mall viewed from above
-
Renovation in progress
-
Spaces formerly retail, currently offices
-
Outside view of the former JCPenney location
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
References
External Links
Template:Midtown South, Manhattan Template:New York City Malls