Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsOct 25, 2017
Lord & Taylor’s 5th Ave. Flagship Being Sold
The iconic retail space will become WeWork’s NYC headquarters, though a much smaller Lord & Taylor store will remain there.
WeWork’s current New York headquarters (pictured here) are located on 18th Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood but will move into the Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue after Christmas 2018. WeWork operates co-working spaces used by entrepreneurs, freelancers, small companies and start-ups worldwide.
New York--Hudson’s Bay Co. announced Tuesday that it is selling the Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue flagship store to co-working space company WeWork in a deal valued at $850 million.
Under the terms of the deal, the 676,000-square-foot store will continue to operate through Christmas 2018. After that, WeWork will move its New York headquarters from Chelsea into the Lord & Taylor building, which also will be home to additional WeWork shared office space.
A Lord & Taylor store will continue to operate on the bottom floors of the building, which is located on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 38th and 39th streets, though it will be much smaller--150,000 square feet, or about a quarter of the entire space.
The planned sale of this iconic New York retail space, which opened in 1914 and is literally a city landmark, is yet another example of a large retailer coming under pressure to cut back on the amount of physical space it has and cash in on valuable real estate holdings as sales fall and more shopping is done online.
In a company statement, HBC Governor, Executive Chairman and interim CEO Richard Baker said: “HBC and WeWork have been working together to reimagine retail environments for current and future generations. This is a transformative partnership that rethinks how retailers create exciting environments and leverage less productive space while substantially improving the value proposition.”
WeWork CEO and founder Adam Neumann noted that, “Retail is changing and the role that real estate has to play in the way that we shop today must change with it.”
HBC said it will use the proceeds from the transaction to pay down debt.
As part of the deal, WeWork also will begin leasing space in other HBC-operated stores, starting with the upper floors of the Hudson’s Bay department stores on Queen Street in Toronto and Granville Street in Vancouver, as well as the Galeria Kaufhof department store in Frankfurt, Germany.
The news of HBC’s deal with WeWork comes less than a week after the retailer announced that CEO Gerald (Jerry) Storch was stepping down and would be replaced on an interim basis by Baker.
Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, HBC operates the Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth, Galeria Kaufhof (Germany) and Galeria Inno (Belgium) department store chains, as well as online retailer Gilt.
HBC ranks No. 17 on the $100 Million Supersellers list in National Jeweler’s
2017 State of the Majors report, with an estimated $431 million in watch and jewelry sales in North America last year.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
