New shopping destination joins NYC must-see list

NEW YORK — Swapping swimming for shopping this spring break? How about trading the beach for the Big Apple?

There’s no doubt about it that New York City is the shopping capital of the East Coast, thanks to streets such as Madison and Fifth avenues and neighborhoods such as Soho that are packed with some of fashion’s finest shops. But now there’s yet another destination to add to the itinerary: Brookfield Place, a luxury shopping complex that opened last year across from the National September 11 Memorial in lower Manhattan. There you’ll find several high-end brands, with storefronts across the city, all under one roof.

Formerly known as the World Financial Center, this striking glass structure with vaulted pavilion was severely damaged by debris in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Its resurrection in recent years is part of a renaissance that’s sweeping this section of the city.

Before even stepping indoors, Brookfield Place is a treat for the eyes. Guests are greeted by floor-to-ceiling glass and a pair of 54-foot-tall woven basketlike columns designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. Inside, the recovered marble staircase offers a front-row seat to picturesque views of the Hudson River and, during winter months, skaters whizzing around on the adjoining outdoor ice rink. From other vantage points, the Statue of Liberty is identifiable in the distance.

Now, back to the shopping! Brookfield Place boasts an impressive roster of labels: Hermes, Gucci, Burberry, Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Club Monaco, Ermenegildo Zegna, Hickey Freeman, Paul Smith, Theory, Salvatore Ferragamo and the hip Babesta boutique for kids and babies, to name a few. There’s also a Saks Fifth Avenue slated to open soon. Beyond apparel and accessories, there’s Davidoff of Geneva, a premium cigar shop, a Drybar hair blowout bar, an Equinox fitness club and beautiful arrangements by L’Olivier Floral Atelier.

If shopping stirs your appetite, there’s a staggering number of eateries, many of which are tucked away in a food court-style corridor on the upper level: Blue Ribbon sushi bar, Little Muenster artisanal grilled cheese, Cambodian-inspired sandwiches at Num Pang, Skinny Pizza, San Francisco Bay-area style tacos by Dos Toros Taqueria, Umami Burger, Sprinkles handcrafted cupcakes and a bunch of other options sure to satisfy pretty much every palate. A must-stop for foodies.