UES Community Board Backs New Madison Ave Hermès Flagship

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side's community board approved plans by French luxury designer Hermès for a new Madison Avenue flagship located just down the block from the high fashion brand's current store.

Architects presented plans on Monday to convert the former Madison Avenue building of The Bank of New York and two adjacent buildings into a new Hermès store. The overall look of both buildings will be preserved, but changes include modifications to some windows and doors as well as the addition of Hermès signage and a statue to the building's rooftop.

The high-end fashion retailer also plans to remove some elements of the existing buildings, including a flagpole that juts out over Madison Avenue, according to the materials presented by the Spacesmith architecture firm.

"I would expect Hermes to do something elegant and refined, and they certainly did. I like it," Community Board 8 Chair Alida Camp said during this week's meeting.

Camp suggested that the retailer install some sort of "historic plaque" that would remind passersby of the building's connection with The Bank of New York. Architects representing Hermes said that signage at the building's East 63rd Street entrance will be preserved.

The former Bank of New York building 706 - 708 Madison Avenue was built in 1922. The two adjacent buildings on Madison Avenue and East 63rd Street were built between 2014 and 2016. All three properties are located within the boundaries of the Upper East Side Historic District, which means all projects must undergo a landmarks review.

Hermès opened its current Madison Avenue flagship — located down the block in a building on the corner of Madison and East 62nd Street — in 2000, according to the designer's website.