Posman Books, J. Crew, Paul Smith Headed for Brookfield Place

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The Posman Books at Rockefeller Center; Image via ACC Construction

The latest tenants to join the massive downtown shopping center Brookfield Place aren't as luxe as some of their future neighbors, but will certainly draw their own crowds. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that J. Crew, Paul Smith, and, curiously, Posman Books LLC have all snagged some space at the site, which is now 85% leased (translation—there won't be many more tenant announcements to make).

For a destination that will include such high-end retailers as Michael Kors, Hérmes, and Ferragamo, it's interesting that a small bookseller is being added to the mix, especially with other sellers like Rizzoli and Shakespeare & Co. going out of business.

"You're going to have locals from Battery Park City, the tourists and then the office population," said Robert Fader, vice president of Posman Books, to the paper about their fourth city location. "No question that the whole area is going to be hot from the river to Broadway."

In fact, this is just one of five shops that the bookstore is planning to open over the next five years. Looks like they're ahead of the curve when it comes to take over Brooklyn, but this is the first we've heard of another Manhattan shop. It'll be nearly 7,000 square feet.

As for Paul Smith, the British designer's third standalone Manhattan locale will offer both men's and women's clothing within just over 2,500 square feet.
Commercial Property: What's the Deal [WSJ]
Bonobos Opening Another NYC Guideshop at Brookfield Place [Racked NY]
All Brookfield Place Posts [Racked NY]