Louis Vuitton’s famous Fifth Avenue flagship is currently undergoing a major renovation, but the brand has not disappeared from the neighbourhood. Its temporary flagship at 6 East 57th Street is now one of the most visually impressive luxury stores near Fifth Avenue.

Spread across five floors, the store combines fashion, architecture, art, food and design. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, it is worth entering simply to see the enormous atrium and stacked-trunk installation.

Worth Visiting

If you’re walking along Fifth Avenue, this is one of the luxury stores I’d definitely recommend stopping by. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the building itself is worth seeing. The temporary flagship is huge, beautifully designed and feels more like a luxury gallery than a normal store. I spent around 10-15 minutes here and never felt rushed.

Why Visit?

Louis Vuitton’s original Fifth Avenue flagship is currently being rebuilt, so the brand has moved into a spectacular temporary flagship on 57th Street. It spans five floors and includes fashion, accessories, a café and a chocolate boutique, making it one of the most interesting luxury shopping experiences in Midtown.

One thing I noticed straight away was how busy it was outside. Lots of people stop here just to take photos, so don’t expect to have the pavement to yourself. If you want a full view of the building, walk across the street first. Standing directly in front of the entrance doesn’t really work because the building is so tall and you’ll only capture the lower floors.

My Experience

I visited on a weekday morning and there were already plenty of people outside taking photos. The entrance wasn’t too crowded, but the area in front of the store was constantly busy because everyone wanted the same shot.

The best photo wasn’t from the entrance at all. I crossed to the opposite side of the street, and that’s where you can actually fit most of the building into the frame. If you’re standing right in front of the store, it’s almost impossible to show how impressive it really is.

Inside, the store feels calm despite the crowds outside. The central atrium is the highlight, and I found myself looking up more than looking at the products. Even if luxury shopping isn’t your thing, I’d still recommend stepping inside for the architecture alone.

Nearest Subway

5 Av/59 St (N, R, W)

Other nearby stations:

• 59 St–Lexington Av (4, 5, 6, N, R, W)
• Lexington Av/59 St (4, 5, 6)

Handbag stores on 5th

Nearest Subway

5 Av/59 St (N, R, W)

Other nearby stations:

• 59 St–Lexington Av (4, 5, 6, N, R, W)
• Lexington Av/59 St (4, 5, 6)

Handbag stores on 5th