Food hall opening at Amazon’s Fifth Avenue office
Photo credit: WRNS Studio, SCAPE, Bilyana Dimitrova
New York City is getting another food hall. Earlier this year, Texas-based operator Food Hall Co. announced plans to open Shaver Hall, a 35,000-square-foot culinary experience on the ground floor of the historic Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue. After serving as the department store’s flagship for over a century, the landmark was bought by Amazon and converted into office space, which opened last year.
Named for former Lord & Taylor president Dorothy Shaver, Shaver Hall will feature more than 10 food halls, two full-service bars, a “uniquely created bodega,” and live music inside Amazon’s Hank building, according to Food Hall Co. Shaver, who became president of Lord & Taylor in 1945, was the first woman to head a multimillion-dollar business in the United States.
The first two food halls announced include Chick Chick, Korean-inspired chicken on the Upper West Side, and Taqueria Al Pastor, a Brooklyn-based restaurant selling tacos and Mexican street food.
As Eater New York reported, another local favorite F&F Pizzeria will also operate at the food hall. The pizza shop comes from Frankies 457 Sputino owners Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli. Shaver Hall is expected to open next year.
“We can’t wait to introduce Shaver Hall to the vibrant culinary scene in Midtown Manhattan,” Randy Dewitt, co-founder of The Food Hall Co, said in a June press release. “We look forward to working with Amazon to create an experience that celebrates the diverse flavors and culinary talents of New York City while fostering a sense of community and connection within this iconic space.”
Amazon purchased the former Lord & Taylor store in March 2020 for nearly $1 billion and hired WRNS Studio to transform the iconic spot into a modern workplace, named “Hank.” Open since last September, the building measures more than 600,000 square feet and has space for 2,000 employees, about a fifth of Amazon’s New York-area workforce. In addition to various workplaces, Hank offers employees a rooftop terrace with Empire State Building views, a dog run, and a sunken courtyard.
“When we invest, our goal is to create integrated urban experiences that help support 18-hour districts where people work, shop, eat, and play,” Shannon Loew, Vice President of Global Real Estate & Facilities at Amazon, said.
“We are excited to work with Food Hall Co. to open our ground floor to the entire community. In addition to bringing exciting food options to the area, Shaver Hall will create new opportunities for local small businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of Midtown.”
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