Starbucks to go really, really big in New York City

Starbucks will open its largest location in the world, a 20,000-sq.-ft. store, in one of Manhattan’s trendiest areas.

The coffee giant is bringing its new Roastery store format to the Meatpacking District, opening at 61 Ninth Ave., a new nine-story building that is currently under development. The building is close to Chelsea Market.

Scheduled to open in 2018, the store will modeled after the first — and still only one to date — Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, which debuted in December 2014 in Seattle. Described as “coffee as theatre,” the approximate 15,000-sq.-ft. store immerses customers in the craft of roasting and brewing fine small lot coffees from around the world.

“In New York, we want to take elements from what we originally created and build something even bigger and bolder, celebrating coffee and craft in a completely unique and differentiated way,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO, Starbucks.

The New York Roastery experience will build upon everything Starbucks has learned from integrating coffee roasting, manufacturing, education and retail, while ensuring an experience that is locally relevant to the market, the company said.

This project will be led by Arthur Rubinfeld, chief creative officer and president, Starbucks Global Innovation, and Liz Muller, VP of Starbucks Creative and Global Design.

Both executives will work closely with the joint venture of Vornado Realty Trust and Aurora Capital that is developing 61 Ninth. The development site, formerly Prince Lumber, was acquired by the joint venture in 2015.

The new building, designed by Rafael Viñoly, will be located one block south of Chelsea Market. Upon completion, it will be approximately 170,000 sq. ft.