NEW ORLEANS – Today, O’Connor Capital Partners announced in a press release that two new national luxury fashion retailers are opening flagship stores this year at Canal Place – New Orleans’ premier luxury retail destination. Anne Fontaine, France-based women’s luxury fashion line, and MCM, the luxury travel and accessories brand, will each open their first and only Gulf region locations by the end of 2019, joining world-class brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Brooks Brothers, Tiffany & Co., lululemon athletica and Tory Burch.
“The addition of MCM and Anne Fontaine to our collection enhances the unique customer experience Canal Place is dedicated to providing,” said Lisa Manzella, general manager at Canal Place. “We are thrilled to steward this property through this transformation in concert with Mayor Cantrell’s vision for the revitalization of the Canal Street corridor.”
MCM, an iconic leather luxury goods brand, is opening a boutique of approximately 2,000 square feet on the first level of the center across the hallway from Michael Kors. This is the only Louisiana location for the brand, which is well-known for its signature logo-printed material as well as the brass plate insignia found on all heritage collection bags and most products; each brass plate is identified by a unique number at the bottom.
“MCM is honored to be opening our first Louisiana store location in the iconic shopping center and New Orleans staple, Canal Place,” said Patrick Valeo, presiden of MCM, the Americas. “The Canal Place location is part of our larger US expansion plan, and we are looking forward to entering this market with our newest stand-alone store.”
Anne Fontaine, well-known for fashionable takes on the classic white shirt, is opening a jewel-box location of approximately 700 square feet which is also on Level One. This will be Anne Fontaine’s first and only Louisiana location and will showcase the company’s lifestyle brand which revolves around the white shirt with a line of accessories & home products, retailing out of 60 boutiques around the world.
“We are proud and excited to expand our presence into New Orleans. For us at Anne Fontaine we are very fortunate to have a client who has a strong appreciation for craftmanship and culture, and Canal Place is the perfect platform to allow us to serve and connect with her needs,” said Ari Zlotkin, the chief executive officer of Anne Fontaine USA.
Canal Place has embarked on a multi-million dollar reinvigoration of this iconic New Orleans asset. O’Connor Capital Partners, the firm which manages and leases Canal Place, has partnered with preeminent architectural firm Gensler to revamp at the 260,000-square-foot property, while the O’Connor team focuses on transforming the services, aesthetics and other changes to deliver a new, modern shopping experience. With the recent additions of a flagship Louis Vuitton boutique, Tory Burch and G-Star Raw, there have been clear signs of change. In the meantime, the installation of the "WITH LOVE FROM nola" moss wall and lush landscaping by local artists Luna Botanicals has begun to evolve the experience that distinguishes shopping at Canal Place from the rest of the city.
Canal Place is Downtown New Orleans’ premier destination for luxury fashion and beauty brands, boutique clothing stores, home goods and much more. Travelers from outside the United States benefit from the retail center’s status as a tax-free shopping center that refunds sales tax to international visitors. Local shoppers appreciate the convenience of on-site parking and a luxury dine-in cinema to complement the exceptional shopping experience, as well as events and programming that keep the energy high and the offerings fresh.
