New reports claim that a Whole Foods store might just open on New York City's Wall Street. As it turns out, Harry Macklowe is allegedly in talks to put up a store front at One Wall Street, which used to be the Bank of New York tower that Macklowe bought back in 2014 for $585 million.
However, the claims came from two retail sources that are not affiliated with Macklowe or Whole Foods. "There is no lease but they are working toward one," one source said.
Apparently, the move may be another effort towards expanding their locations in Manhattan. The New York Post reports:
"Whole Foods is expanding around Manhattan. In addition to eight markets it already operates, it has leased large spaces in the office tower at 1095 Sixth Ave. in Midtown and at Lenox Avenue and 125th Street in Harlem. Both may open this year. A Whole Foods store of any size at One Wall would be another confirmation of the increasingly residential FiDi area's embrace of better cuisine - and vice versa."
One Wall Street, which is a 50-story Art Deco skyscraper, was originally built in 1931 for the Irving Trust Company and is regarded as a "designated city landmark."
However, Macklowe's purchase from BoNY included an annex building on Broadway, built in 1962, which is not landmarked. This has led many to believe that the space is highly likely where a Whole Foods store will erect.
Architect Robert A.M. Stern has already designed changes for the building, which includes a "glass box" treatment on the lower retail floors of the building.
Macklowe first filed his plans to make alterations to One Wall Street in October 2015. Changes include an additional 524 apartments, half of which would be for rental, while the rest are for condo purposes.
The property also boasts of a 95,000 square feet of commercial space, although majority of it is reserved for retail.
