Opening to the public on Nov. 16, store offers new, exclusive experiences such as hands-on coffee workshops, guided tasting flights, and an extended artisan menu of new Princi food

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Tributes to Empire State Building and New York City abound, including historical design elements, locally inspired craft cocktails, and collaborations with local artists

Starbucks today unveiled the new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store which opens its doors to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. ET. &nbsp;Spanning 23,000 square feet and three floors, this unique store celebrates connecting over coffee through innovative experiences such as immersive hands-on workshops and guided tasting flights as well as new coffee beverages and craft cocktails, and an extended artisan menu of Princi food only available at this location.

“Starbucks Reserve locations are designed to spotlight our exquisite Starbucks Reserve® coffee and showcase our heritage, expertise, and dedication to coffee craft through interactive coffee experiences where barista craft is the cornerstone,” said Mark Ring, svp of U.S. retail at Starbucks.&nbsp; “The Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store is a one-of-a-kind destination that highlights our commitment to push the boundaries of coffee craft and offer our customers new, immersive and multi-sensory coffeehouses that are designed to inspire and create moments of connection in this special space.”

“We are honored to have been a part of New York City for more than thirty years and the iconic Empire State Building for almost 15 years.&nbsp; We look forward to welcoming customers to the new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store on Nov. 16, an experience like no other, in a city like no other,” said Ring.

Connecting Over Coffee&nbsp;

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On the first floor, customers can enjoy a variety of Starbucks beverages from signature Starbucks Reserve® beverages such as the Hazelnut Bianco Latte and Nitro Almondmilk Mocha, to favorites like Starbucks Caramel Macchiato and Starbucks Refreshers® beverages, as well as seasonal coffees like the Peppermint Mocha – all crafted with Starbucks Reserve coffee.

The store will also exclusively serve and sell Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building® Microblend, a coffee that was inspired by and honors the iconic building and is roasted locally at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery located in the Meatpacking district. This unique coffee, which will be the primary blend used to craft the beverages and cocktails served throughout the store, offers notes of red and black fruit, vanilla, and spice with a smooth, chocolaty mouthfeel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To complement the beverage menu, customers can also enjoy a selection of food from Princi, the renowned artisanal boutique bakery and café founded by Italian baker Rocco Princi. As the exclusive food purveyor at Starbucks Reserve locations, Princi offers a selection of freshly baked cornetti, focaccia and pizza, avocado toast, brioche, cakes and tarts.

The first floor will also feature a personalized shopping experience where customers can browse a variety of curated local artist merchandise collections and explore seasonally rotating Starbucks Reserve whole bean coffee for purchase.

Unique Coffeehouse Experiences&nbsp;

The concourse level offers customers the opportunity to explore the art of carefully crafted beverages and food. From the guided tastings at the Innovation Bar to the aromas and flavors of tasting flights and small bites served in the Experience Lounge, to the hands-on Starbucks Reserve Coffee Workshops.

Exclusive to the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store, customers can be among the first to experience the evolution of espresso with Starbucks Cold Pressed Espresso beverages. Designed by Starbucks, the patented brewing technology uses cold water and gentle, upward pressure to unlock a softer, sweeter espresso shot. The Cold Pressed Espresso Tasting Experience is a guided, multi-sensory tasting flight featuring several new beverages such as the Iced Apple Americano and Malted Milkshake with Black Lemon. This reservation-only experience is offered daily at the Innovation Bar. &nbsp;

The Starbucks Reserve Coffee Workshops, also located on the concourse level, are interactive, small group workshops that are grounded in coffee and beverage craft. These first-of-their-kind workshops include Whiskey Barrel-Aged 101, Starbucks Reserve Brewtender for A Day, Espresso Martini Flight Fundamentals and Fun with Spirit-Free Spritzes.

Customers may purchase tickets to the workshops or make reservations to the Innovation Bar tasting on the <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/esb">Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building website</a> in advance.

At the Experience Lounge customers can relax and recharge with Starbucks Reserve beverages and a curated selection of small bites. Here customers can also order signature tableside flights such as the Single Origin Brew &amp; Bites Flight, Espresso Martini &amp; Dessert Flight, Cold Brew &amp; Sweets, or the Empire Affogato Flight.

Next level food and cocktails&nbsp;

The restaurant and bar on level two is a space made for gathering, sharing, and connecting. Here customers can enjoy artisanal food from Princi&nbsp;created exclusively by Starbucks Reserve. The menu features signature tasting boards and plates, and entrees for brunch, lunch, and all day long.&nbsp;Honoring Starbucks tradition of starting gatherings with a coffee tasting, every meal will start with a complimentary first sip tasting of Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend.

On this level, customers can also enjoy a selection of thoughtfully curated Starbucks Reserve cocktails to share that pay tribute to this iconic space. Available exclusively at this store, the coffee and tea sharable cocktails include the Empire Negroni, Siren Tea Punch Fountain, Starbucks Reserve Royale Experience, and the Big Apple Blossom, which will be delivered table-side. A selection of signature Starbucks Reserve coffee cocktails, such as the Starbucks Reserve Boulevardier and Espresso Martini, and classic cocktails are also available.

Honoring the iconic Art Deco design&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starbucks takes the utmost respect and care when planning and designing spaces for its stores, ensuring the design honors the history of the space while also fostering connection and creating accessible experiences for customers.&nbsp;Throughout the design and construction process, Starbucks worked closely with the team at Empire State Realty Trust (the owner of the Empire State Building) its historic landmark preservation consultant and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure the space honored the historic building.

The Empire State Building is a New York icon and testament to artistry of the Art Deco style, which is defined by strong geometric patterns, rich colors, and ornamental details. These design elements can be found throughout the store – from the columns and walls to the art installations, glass partitions and furniture – as modern interpretations of the Art Deco style and materiality of the Empire State Building.

The Starbucks design team also worked with the Empire State Building team to revitalize and restore several elements that were original to the space. &nbsp;On the façade the exterior mullion and revolving door configuration was restored, and the storefront finials were brought back to original condition.

Inside the store, marble was restored and traditional concrete terrazzo stonework was installed at the lobby entrance; and the second-floor windows were restored to their original full ceiling height. To celebrate the history of the building, Starbucks removed concrete covering the original hand-riveted steel columns. The store, in addition to the Empire State Building Observatory Experience, is one of the few places visitors can view the original riveted columns within the building.

Art is omnipresent in the store and all artistic installations within space were influenced by the Empire State Building’s iconic style, craftsmanship, and optimism. Starbucks commissioned New York-based artists to create the installations, murals, and merchandise that spotlight Art Deco<a> </a>flourishes, the building’s spirit, and the essence of Starbucks and the origins of coffee. Read more about the store’s design and unique, original artwork <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/new-starbucks-reserve-store-in-nyc-brings-landmark-coffee-experience-to-empire-state-building/">here</a>.

Leading in Coffee Innovation&nbsp;

Starbucks began its journey over fifty years ago to make premium arabica coffee accessible to all while fostering a culture of connection. Since the first Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened in Seattle in 2014, the company’s aspirations for Starbucks Reserve remains the same – to spotlight the exquisite Starbucks Reserve coffee and showcase the company’s heritage, expertise, and dedication to coffee through immersive experiences where barista craft is at the center of the experience. &nbsp;Starbucks Reserve locations shine a halo on the brand and serve as a pipeline of product innovation that can then be brought to scale in the broader Starbucks retail footprint. The new Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building provides an opportunity to continue pushing the boundaries on coffee craft and the coffeehouse experience.

The Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store joins the Starbucks Reserve portfolio that includes six Starbucks Reserve Roasteries located in Seattle, Shanghai, Milan, New York, Tokyo, and Chicago, as well as Starbucks Reserve locations around the world.&nbsp;

Starbucks heritage in New York City dates to 1994 and the company has operated stores in the Empire State Building since 2008. New York City continues to be a place where Starbucks introduces new store concepts and offers a variety of experiences – from the first Starbucks®&nbsp;Pickup store to the immersive Starbucks Reserve®&nbsp;Roastery located in the Meatpacking district.

The Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store opens on Wednesday, Nov. 16. For more information, including hours of operation, please visit <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/esb">starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/esb</a>.

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Photos by Sarah Flotard, Matt Glac, Talia Green, Connor Surdi

About Starbucks &nbsp;

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 35,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com, <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starbucksreserve.com</a> or <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starbucks.com</a> . &nbsp;

Opening on Nov. 16, the store offers exclusive experiences such as coffee workshops, guided tasting flights, and an extended artisan menu.

New Starbucks Reserve Store in New York’s Iconic Empire State Building Unveiled

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Opening to the public on Nov. 16, store offers new, exclusive experiences such as hands-on coffee workshops, guided tasting flights, and an extended artisan menu of new Princi food.

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NEW YORK – It’s the “World’s Most Famous Building.” It’s an indelible part of New York’s skyline for nearly a century – where King Kong swatted at passing planes in the 1933 movie. It’s where Buddy visits his dad’s office in the movie, “Elf.” And Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally find each other in “Sleepless in Seattle.”

Perhaps there’s nothing that says New York more than the Empire State Building. It welcomes millions of visitors each year who take the elevator up to the iconic observation decks.

Starbucks has been a part of that history since 2008 when its first store opened in the Empire State Building. It was originally a café on 34th Street and later evolved with new innovative concepts, including one of the company’s first express stores, a delivery pilot in 2015 and one of the first mobile order and pickup locations in 2018. The new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/new-starbucks-reserve-store-in-new-yorks-iconic-empire-state-building-unveiled/">Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building® store</a> pays homage to the heritage of the Empire State Building and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/a-brief-history-of-starbucks-in-new-york/">Starbucks history in New York</a> with an extraordinary one-of-a-kind coffee destination that spans three floors and 23,000 square feet.

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From the bustling sidewalk of Fifth Avenue, the Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building® store looks like it has been there since the beginning. You won’t see that familiar green Siren logo, but an Art Deco façade with the words “Starbucks Reserve” crafted in vintage aluminum lettering (it’s actually a custom font approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission). The Starbucks design team worked with Empire State Realty Trust (owner of the Empire State Building) to bring the store’s façade back to building standards, which included reclaiming the second-floor windows and rebuilding the decorative mullions and finials. Starbucks worked closely with the Empire State Building’s historic landmark preservation consultant, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects, to consult on building exterior details to ensure compliance with landmarks preservation guidelines.

“We paid careful attention to protecting and revitalizing landmark pieces in direct and close consultation with the Empire State Building’s landmark consultant,” said Jill Enomoto, vice president of Starbucks Siren Retail Design. “We feel really proud to bring it back to its original beauty and intention.”

Take a spin through the historic revolving doors on Fifth Avenue, and the sounds of honking yellow taxis fade away with a whoosh as you enter the Empire State Building’s iconic Fifth Avenue Lobby. The soaring two-story Art Deco space recalls an era of grandeur and glamour, with stunning walls clad in terrazzo marble and the brilliantly restored ceiling hand-painted in 24-carat gold.

“In the Art Deco style, you see strong geometric patterns and applied ornamentation. It has that timeless, classic New York sensibility,” said John Nelson, senior store designer for Starbucks. “We have applied an artful interpretation of Art Deco in the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store. We nod to it with our color palette and patterns while also making it our own.”

Hanging in a glass case just outside the entrance to the store is the first of several bespoke art pieces by local artists – including an original paper sculpture by Brooklyn-based artist Jim Gaylord. The work features geometric patterns, scales that reference the Starbucks Siren, and natural elements like the sun, mountain slopes, roasting flames and the mighty coffee bean.&nbsp;

“The Empire State Building is a New York icon and its original construction is a testament to artistry,” said Lara Behnert, who leads the art program for Starbucks. “That’s why it was important to commission New York-based artists for all the store’s original artworks. The pieces are inspired, in different ways, by the Empire State Building’s spirit, Art Deco flourishes, the essence of Starbucks, and the origins and meaning of coffee.”

The store features three levels, each designed for connection and discovery. Visitors enter on Level One, which was designed to create a convenient experience for customers looking to grab coffee and Princi® food on-the-go, with a design that harkens back to the fast-paced mercantile traditions of Fifth Avenue. It has a muted earth-toned palette to allow for focus on the connections between the customers and partners, as well as thoughtfully curated merchandise featuring artist collaborations such as the Jade Purple Brown collection and other items exclusively available in this location. The store serves and sells Starbucks Reserve coffee, including the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building® Microblend roasted at the <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us/locations/new-york">Starbucks Reserve Roastery New York</a>. The menu features classic beverages like cappuccinos and lattes, as well as Starbucks Reserve signature beverages such as the Hazelnut Bianco Latte, Whiskey Barrel Aged Cold Brew and Nitro Almondmilk Mocha.

From Level One, an open staircase connects the Concourse below and Level Two above – with all three floors connected visually with a jewel-toned mural by Brooklyn-based artist Dana Tanamachi that showcases the contributions of women in coffee.

The Concourse level is dedicated to innovation and immersive coffee experiences with coffee workshops and guided tasting flights that are unique to this store. Visitors descending the staircase from street level immediately step through a portal with a digital art installation that transitions toward the Innovation Lounge and Experience Bar. The artwork immerses customers into coffee experiences with larger-than-life visuals of handcrafted beverages and vibrant animations of coffee storytelling, like microbubbles cascading over a scoop of gelato. The darker tones of this floor are complemented by gilded touches, like brass columns and fluted glassware. Flexible spaces can be closed off or combined to accommodate different-sized groups.

The show-stopping art piece for this level is a 25-foot hand-painted Starbucks Siren who almost appears to glide along the Concourse, a radiant symbol of optimism. The mural was designed by Brooklyn-based artist Marcos Chin, who created the gilded Siren in his striking style mixed with modernized Art Deco details.

Ascend the staircase two floors, or take the elevator, and you’ll reach Level Two, where the glittering full-service bar and restaurant are designed for customers to sit, relax, and stay for a while. Customers can enjoy food from Princi, including signature tasting boards and plates, entrees and favorites for brunch and lunch. To drink, Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building® Microblend is on the menu, along with signature and shareable coffee and tea cocktails from the mixology bar.

The space is layered with shades of sultry rich green, shimmering gold touches and a mural with a central gilded figure of a coffee farmer. The ceiling of this space has gold textured paint, echoing the hand-painted gold leaf ceiling from the historic lobby. Patterns dance throughout and an abstracted coffee origin landscape graces a private lounge at the back of the bar.&nbsp;These patterns were created by Seattle-based artist Gabe Armagost and combine elements of Starbucks, New York City and the Empire State Building.

While much of the focus for the design team was rebuilding the space and bringing landmark elements to life, they also peeled back some of the building’s layers to expose some of the original hand-riveted steel beams and a bit of its history. The Empire State Building was an engineering marvel in its day, with its steel frame the first to rise over 100 stories high, making it the world’s tallest building for nearly four decades. “Our store is one of the few places in the building where you can see one of the original splice plates up close,” Nelson said.

The store is a certified&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-greener-stores-accelerate-global-movement-towards-a-more-sustainable-future/">Greener Store</a>, designed for lower environmental impact that helps accelerate progress toward Starbucks goals to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50 percent by 2030.

Starbucks worked with New York-based West Elm to design and furnish many pieces in the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store.&nbsp;In some cases, West Elm co-designed the pieces, customizing West Elm seats and tables for Starbucks with rich and warm textures to maximize comfort.&nbsp;Other times, West Elm would work with Starbucks to manufacture a piece that was designed by Starbucks. &nbsp;

Designers worked to help customers both navigate and enjoy the physical store environment with inclusive design elements such as clear navigation routes, visual order status boards, and controlled acoustics. They also created accessible seating for all with a variety of seating options – from low lounge seating to counter height bar stools. A unified floor plan ensures that all levels are easy to navigate and are wheelchair accessible via a new passenger elevator.

“We had a lot of conversations about inclusive design, and love what we have done from an inclusivity and accessibility standpoint,” said Enomoto. “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to this beautiful, iconic space.”

Photos by Sarah Flotard, Matt Glac, Connor Surdi

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the one-of-a-kind coffee destination opening in New York’s Empire State Building.

New Starbucks Reserve store in NYC brings landmark coffee experience to Empire State Building

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