When many Americans think of Mexico, chances are they are dreaming of amazing beaches, margaritas, mariachi bands and crystal clear water. Those of you who think of Mexico City, may do so mainly as a business destination. Fly in, have a few meetings, and fly out. While the nation’s capital, home to over 21 million people, is a hub for commerce across the Americas, it has become popular for affluent tourists as well, with a museum count second only to Paris and one of the world’s hottest and most diverse culinary scenes. Luxury hotels have been coming on the scene in recent years, large and small, from the W and St. Regis, to many boutique offerings.
This week, Mexico City’s luxury shopping quotient will expand exponentially as El Palacio de Hierro opens its $300 million, 650,000 sq. ft. flagship store in tony Polanco. Our southern neighbor’s equivalent of Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods or Neiman Marcus, it operates over a dozen locations, mainly in Mexico. However, this one will be specifically catering to high-end international travelers with VIP shopping services, including coming to your hotel room, private salons and a wide selection of both international and local designers to provide a perfect break between meetings or after browsing local galleries.
The new flagship is in a location that was previously about a third of the size, and the retailer shut the store in early January and has been closed since, but now is gearing up for the holidays with its November 6 grand re-opening.
Of course fashion and baubles will only be part of the experience. Carlos Salcido, the marketing director, and Francoise Lavertu Stevens, communications director, visited New York last week to hype the opening. On tap initially will be two restaurants with a Harrods' style gourmet food emporium taking up 20,000 sq. ft. There will multiple offerings for those of you who need a java boost: Nespresso on the ground floor plus a Starbucks Reserve. Coming next year will be two celebrity chef led restaurants.
There will be a large technology lab, including stores from Apple, Samsung and Sony, all designed so you can play with the high tech toys. “It’s more about the experience,” says Lavertu Stevens.
So that you can get to know where you are going in the multi-floor complex before you get there, the store will add Google Business View at the beginning of December. By allowing the search company to spend several weeks filming once the store opens, it will enable you to go to Google Maps, then go inside the store much like it works for exteriors, getting a virtual tour.
Hours for the store are traveler friendly, running daily from 11am to 9pm, with its hair salon open from 7am. There will be a team dedicated to tourists, able to arrange both private shopping as well as shopping in your hotel room. Tax refunds can be done on site.
Among the global luxury brands will be Tiffany and Armani flagship stores. On the fashion front for women are Alexander Mc Queen, Armani, Balenciaga, Blumarine, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Christian Dior, DVF, Chloe, D&G, Escada, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Versace and Victoria Bekham. There is jewelry from Alexis Bittar, Bulgari, Cartier, Damiani, H Stern, Pandora, Pomellato and Tane, a local brand.
Men don’t worry: Sportswear and contemporary designers for you include Armani Exchange, CK Jeans, Diesel, Jack & Jones, John Varvatos and Scotch & Soda. For your shoe shopping, you can check out offerings from Bally Switzerland, Dior Homme, Dr. Martens, Harry’s of London, Hugo Boss, Johnston & Murphy and Santoni. For when you want to dress for success, there is made to measure, including Brioni, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Canali, Corneliani and Pal Zileri. There will also be a barber shop.
For fans of nice timepieces, there is an extensive selection from accessible sports and fashion watches to haute horlogerie, including Alpina, Ball Watch, Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Cartier, Corum, Frederique Constant, Girard Perregaux, Graham, Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Omega, Rado, Raymond Weil, Shinola, TAG Heuer, Tissot, TW Steel and Zenith.
“We have more luxury brands in one place than you can find in most American cities,” Salcido said. Sounds like a good excuse for a business trip or weekend getaway!
