Two-story store fronts … one-of-a-kind sculpture gardens … even a fashion and art exhibit.
Give American Dream credit. The rollout of the 300,000-square-foot retail and entertainment center certainly has been slowed by the pandemic, but it has not lessened the effort and enthusiasm of the developers.
On Friday, American Dream unveiled the Avenue, what officials are calling an unrivaled luxury shopping and dining experience — one that comes with the only New Jersey location of Saks Fifth Avenue and the first Northeast location of Carpaccio, a Bal Harbour, Florida, favorite fine dining establishment.
“There are few moments that make me as proud as unveiling the Avenue at American Dream,” American Dream CEO Don Ghermezian said.
“The addition of luxury shopping from the most sought-after fashion brands to our world-class attractions and contemporary retail has solidified American Dream as a destination not seen anywhere else.”
American Dream is celebrating the opening with a fashion and art exhibit entitled INTERSECTION: Art Meets Fashion. The exhibition features collections by American designers currently available for purchase through Saks Fifth Avenue.
The exhibit is further enhanced with a collection of art, created by American artists and curated by Ree and Jason Willaford of Galleri Urbane in Marfa and Dallas.
The Avenue at American Dream includes:
- Saks Fifth Avenue: The 110,000-square-foot, two-level retail destination features one-of-a-kind shopping experiences and highly personalized customer service, including Saks’ famed personal styling and shopping offering, the Fifth Avenue Club, customized skin and beauty consultations and same-day delivery.
- Carpaccio: Carpaccio at American Dream offers a classic, yet modern, approach to Italian cuisine that merges the signature elevated fare of the renowned Bal Harbour restaurant with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Led by executive chef Gaetano Ascione, the menu offers traditional recipes revisited in a contemporary style where culinary techniques and simplicity of the ingredients merge to make the dishes enjoyable at the table.
- Dolce&Gabbana: Featuring marble with gold veins and shiny damask walls, the new boutique at American Dream stands out for the materials and nuances of its DNA. Velvet carpets in gold tones and furniture made from Canaletto walnut wood complete the space, which is further enhanced by the brightness of Italian marble Nuvolato Etrusco. The walls of the boutique are swathed in precious Italian gold damask, alternating with mirrors and glass in success of reflections and perspectives.
- Hermès:Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan model and its humanist values. The freedom to create, the constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of savoir-faire of excellence and the aesthetic of functionality all forge the singularity of Hermès, a house of objects created to last. An independent, family-owned company, Hermès is dedicated to keeping the majority of its production in France through its 51 workshops and production sites and to developing its network more than 300 stores in 45 countries.
- Johnny Was: A range of clothing and accessories designed in California and inspired by artisan craftmanship from all corners of the world. Exquisite embroideries, luxury fabrics and effortless silhouettes that defy trends with a timeless sensibility. From one-of-a-kind kimono jackets and signature scarves to refined leather accessories, the woman who wears Johnny Was is a free spirit in the truest sense.
- Mulberry: The store’s design concept, by interior designer Faye Toogood, showcases the Mulberry lifestyle offering in a fresh and contemporary environment. Inspired by painterly qualities of British landscapes and strong but simple geometric forms, the store design feels like a welcoming home — modern with a hint of heritage. The bold design creates a tactile universe where the brand can be discovered.
The developers said the Avenue at American Dream will continue to define the future of retail as it expands its fashion and dining experiences in the coming months with additional openings, including: Alexander Wang, Anne Fontaine, Brüt – a champagne bar, Gentle Monster, Jonathan Adler and Zadig & Voltaire.