Fifth Avenue is ready to party, and for a couple of good reasons.
Not only has Fifth Avenue seen a flurry of property investments at mega prices by several luxury brands in the past two years, now it’s time to recognize the avenue’s 200th birthday.
The Fifth Avenue Association and the City of New York plan to celebrate the milestone with a one-day-only party Dec. 8 for the public. That will kick off a yearlong series of events, including guided tours titled, “You’ve Arrived on Fifth: 200 Years of Icons and Dreams.”
The ritzy, internationally renowned thoroughfare has undergone an unprecedented degree of investment, retail development and transformation in Midtown post-pandemic. The change conspicuously took off around the August 2023 opening of the redesigned Tiffany flagship with its completely transformed interior. Subsequently, Prada bought 724 Fifth Avenue, site of its New York flagship, and the building next door where Abercrombie & Fitch formerly operated, for $835 million. And Kering, owner of Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen, bought the 115,000-square-foot retail space at 715–717 Fifth Avenue for $963 million.
“This year, we’re celebrating more than just the holiday season — we’re honoring 200 years of Fifth Avenue by transforming it into a destination that reflects its rich history while offering unforgettable experiences for everyone,” said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association, in a statement on Wednesday. “From our must-attend birthday celebration to our unique seasonal decor we’re inviting New Yorkers and visitors from around the world to experience the charm and beauty that makes Fifth Avenue truly one-of-a-kind.” The Fifth Avenue Association is a business improvement district covering 46th Street to 61st Street along Fifth Avenue, as well as 57th Street from Madison Avenue to Sixth Avenue.
“There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays and the 200th birthday of Fifth Avenue than pedestrian-packed streets,” added Ya-Ting Liu, the city’s chief public realm officer. “As Fifth Avenue looks forward to its next 200 years, we will be continuing our work to redesign and rebalance the iconic street into a world-class, tree-lined, pedestrian boulevard.”
Fifth Avenue circa 1920-1930.
There’s festivity up and down the avenue this week, with light shows, holiday windows, animations and limited-edition merchandise. There’s also been disappointment as Saks Fifth Avenue canceled its annual laser-light show spectacular on the flagship facade that drew tens of thousands of people each year.
On Dec. 8, from noon to 6 p.m., the corridor will be closed to traffic in honor of Fifth Avenue’s 200-year anniversary. From 48th to 55th Streets there will be live music, art installations, exclusive shopping experiences and interactive pop-ups from retailers, hotels and restaurants. Participating businesses include Aritzia, Assouline, Bond No. 9, Canada Goose, Citizen, Coach, Hublot, Intimissimi, Longchamp, MoMA, Nike, P448, The Peninsula New York, Puma, Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co., Uniqlo, Victoria’s Secret, and WatchHouse. Among the performers will be the Juilliard Jazz Duke Ellington Ensemble, Sing Harlem, The Satin Dollz, Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, Brass Queens and the New York Belles. Dec. 15 is the rain date.
Along Fifth, warm white lights will light up the trees, a photo arch at 59th Street by the Apple Store is being set up, and many of the avenue’s installations will be infused with Nest’s bestselling Holiday fragrance. As visitors stroll along Fifth Avenue, they will be able to read about its history.
On Friday, the association will light the well-known 30-foot snowflake, suspended 50 feet above Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. Following a restoration last year, the snowflake features 16,500 crystals and high-intensity full-color LED lights.
Last month, the city last unveiled a proposed redesign of Fifth Avenue calling for much wider sidewalks, safer crossings, a reduction in traffic lanes from five to three and new plantings and lighting. It’s considered Fifth Avenue’s first major redesign.
Here are some Fifth Avenue factoids provided by the association:
- Since 2023, there have been more than 10 commercial real estate transactions on Fifth Avenue, totaling $3.9 billion.
- Fifth Avenue is responsible for 313,000 direct and indirect jobs, which in turn generate $44.1 billion in total wages and $111.5 billion in total economic output each year.
- Each block serves approximately 5,500 pedestrians an hour on an average day and up to 23,000 people an hour during the holidays — the equivalent of a full Madison Square Garden plus 4,000 additional people.
