Giorgio Armani to transform NYC  flagship — and add luxury apartments

Italian fashion giant Giorgio Armani has big plans for Madison Avenue.

The Armani Group and SL Green, New York’s largest commercial property owner, announced plans to redevelop the Giorgio Armani flagship on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The 16,000-sq.-ft. store is located in a 97,000-sq.-ft. building at 760 Madison Ave. The building will be completely overhauled and transformed to house a new Armani boutique along with 19 luxury residences designed by Giorgio Armani.

The famed designer will not only conceive the residential interiors but will live in the building upon its completion. The New York-based architecture firm Cookfox will serve as architect on the project and redesign the building to reflect the evolution of the Armani brand.

SL Green Realty Corp., which took control of the building in 2012, will lead the development in collaboration with Armani.

“The Armani brand is synonymous with Madison Avenue and we are thrilled to partner with Armani to solidify its lasting presence along one of the world’s most recognized retail corridors while also introducing the timeless Armani lifestyle to the residences above,” said SL Green CEO Marc Holliday.

This is not Armani’s first foray into interior design. His Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio creates  interior design items that translate the signature style of his clothing into home pieces. It also has been involved in residential projects around the globe.

“With this special project, I continue the journey I began over 10 years ago with my Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio, through which I look for innovative creative solutions that express my personal concept of luxury and refinement, while respecting the local culture and spirit,” stated Armani.

The project team also includes New York historic preservation consultants Higgins, Quasebarth and Partners, and zoning consultants, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, to help ensure that each aspect of the building design will be appropriate for the Upper East Side Historic District. The plan will require approval of the Landmark Preservation Commission. Construction is expected to begin in 2020 and be complete in 2023.