BFC Properties breaks ground on Staten Island’s Empire Outlets

New York - BFC Partners has broken ground on Empire Outlets, a 340,000-sq.-ft. retail complex that will create more than 1,800 jobs and bring $285 million in private investment to the New York City borough of Staten Island.



The center will include some 100 outlet stores, including Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Guess Factory Store, U.S. Polo Assn., Columbia Sportswear Company, Innovation Luggage, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Starbucks, Walgreens, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Haagen Dazs, Krispy Kreme, Nathan’s Famous and Applebee’s.



Plans also include a 190-room hotel, and a 1,250-space parking garage below the retail and hotel components.



Construction is expected to be completed in 2016.



Designed by SHoP Architects, Empire Outlets will feature expansive open corridors and pedestrian walkways to the water, contemporary materials reflective of the industrial waterfront, and a sustainable green roof visible from the Harbor. Vertical circulation elements such as grand staircases, glass elevators and streamlined escalators will guide shoppers.



BFC entered into a 99-year lease for the site in 2013 in partnership with New York Wheel, the company that is bringing a massive 625-ft. Ferris wheel to the same stretch of waterfront. The wheel will be the largest observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere.



“Empire Outlets is a well-timed catalyst that will trigger the transformation of the North Shore and position Staten Island for sustained growth into the foreseeable future,” said Donald Capoccia, principal at BFC Partners. “This project will be a dynamic economic engine for New York City, creating more than 1,800 construction and permanent jobs that will benefit its residents, businesses, cultural and community organizations for generations to come.”