What’s Happening Inside of Macy’s?

The Macy ’s F lower Show is sure to be especially spectacular this year in its custom designed home on Broadway Plaza. From gushing waterfalls to a freestanding greenhouse, they’ve built a complete world for t h is yea r ’s show. But why did the floral institution change it up after nearly 40 years of in-store displays? The Macy’s f lagship store at Herald Square is in the midst of a major renovation.

“Less and less of the floor was available to us,” explains Robin Hall, the executive producer of the show. “The f loor was reconfigured and there was a l ot that was unknown, so we decided to take it outside, to the city.” Hall noted that NYC & Company and Mayor Bloomberg’s office were integral in the effort to bring the f lower show outdoors. “They really helped with the effort it takes, essentially adding a botanical garden to the city for two weeks.”

Inside, the whole store is being renovated, remodeled and restored. Over a four-year period the entire store will get an overhaul so that it looks more consistent throughout and so that it’s organized in a more intuitive way. “All the home items will be on one floor, we’ll be home to the biggest shoe store in the world and all the women’s shoes will be together,” says Hall. “The store will make a lot more sense for people. Right now, it’s an adventure to find anything, which has its charms, but men’s w ill be on one f lo or, all the young modern styles will be on one floor for our millennial customers.”

And, don’t worry. The wooden escalators are staying. “That is the first question most people ask me when they hear about the renovation,” says Hall. “We knew we had the right architect when he said, ‘We have to keep these wooden escalators.’” They are dismantling one escalator in remote part of the store for spare parts and restoring and refinishing the nearly century-old escalators throughout the rest of the store. Macy’s is also restoring the original ceiling on the main floor and expanding the balcony along the main floor. “When you come into Macy’s it will feel much larger with gorgeous stairways,” says Hall. “It will be a great shopping hall.”