Love, Bleecker
2018 - 2020
After a mass exodus of brands starting in 2012, the storied Bleecker Street retail corridor in the West Village suffered from high vacancy and a depressed image, which made leasing retail spaces in the neighborhood challenging.
After a mass exodus of brands starting in 2012, the storied Bleecker Street retail corridor in the West Village suffered from high vacancy and a depressed image, which made leasing retail spaces in the neighborhood challenging.
In 2018, Skylight developed Love, Bleecker, a collective of local, digitally native brands, each paired with a contemporary artist, to occupy vacant retail spaces along Bleecker Street during a one-year residency.
Love, Bleecker’s comprehensive programming, community engagement and cohesive narrative brought renewed vibrancy and success to its own storefronts, and transformed the retail landscape along the entire street.
“Skylight developed a strategy that incubates young brands, mashes up art installations, creates events and sells products, giving consumers multiple reasons to come in. They went to the existing stores in the neighborhood and made them part of the effort, creating a community and a coherent story through the street.”
FORBES
Following Skylight’s work, Bleecker Street has enjoyed a 63% reduction in vacancy, vibrancy has returned, and brands continue to be attracted to the area as a result. Several brands that were incubated along the corridor have moved into new, larger spaces as a result of successful first forays into brick and mortar.
“Brookfield engaged Skylight to help foster the revitalization of Bleecker Street because of Skylight’s unparalleled creativity, expertise and passion for reimagining and activating spaces in innovative and dynamic ways.”
MICHAEL GOLDBAN, Retail Vice President, Brookfield Properties
“Yes, Bleecker Street ... is alive and kicking, once again.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES, The Return of Bleecker Street