Rents may be retreating, but retailers are forging ahead.
In just the last six months, 16 stores have opened along Madison Avenue and within its business improvement district.
The mix includes the long-awaited leather-goods shop Bottega Veneta at 995 Madison and the return of the restaurant La Goulue at 29 E. 61st St.
The area is not just about high fashion anymore, but also contemporary shoes, fashion and accessories.
Dita’s eyewear can be seen at No. 946 or Alexandre Birman’s shoes at No. 957. “Boho” fashions can be found by at No. 995, Johnny Was at No. 1070 and The Westside at No. 1162. The cashmeres of N.Peal are at No. 952.
Health and wellness has also found spots with The Fitness Cell at 28 E. 72nd St. and the Dermadison spa at No. 1114. Salons include Eddie Arthur at 29 E. 61st St. and Kieran McKenna at No. 1100.
New jewelers include Twain Time’s watches and jewelry at 19 E. 69th St. and HD Jewels at The Carlyle Hotel at 35 E. 76th St.
The Hirschl & Adler Galleries moved to 41 E. 57th St. and Carlton Fine Arts can now be found at 676 Madison.
Madison Avenue BID President Matthew Bauer also noted that La Boutique Resale and Michael’s Consignment opened new locations; the bespoke menswear store Taji Fashions moved to a new ground floor space, and Jimmy Choo and Vacheron Constantin made major renovations.
According to the spring Real Estate Board of New York’s retail report, rents along the best stretch of Madison from East 57th to 72nd streets are down 4 percent from the previous spring’s $1,446 per square foot but are up 3 percent since the fall’s $1,348 per square foot to a current $1,390 per square foot.
