Microsoft opens first flagship Store: Vibrant space showcases best in innovation

Microsoft is opening its first-ever flagship store in New York City on Monday, with a vibrant retail space that showcases the best of Microsoft products and services.

An opening six years in the making, the Microsoft Flagship Store blends the world-famous retail experience of Fifth Avenue with innovative technology that is part of Microsoft’s DNA.

“One of our goals, since we started the stores in 2009, was to have a real marquee location where we could bring an expanded retail presence,” said Kelly Soligon, general manager, Worldwide Marketing, Microsoft Retail and Online Stores.

“Frequently, we’re asked by customers, ‘When are you coming to my city?’ and New York has been one of the top requests. Waiting for that perfect real estate location, which we were able to secure last year, and building out the right footprint, is super exciting for us.”

The flagship store, at 677 Fifth Ave., is one of more than 110 retail stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It is the first Microsoft Store to extend two stories, and at 22,269 square feet, is the largest to date.

The extensive footage allows the store to showcase a wide array of best-in-class products that take advantage of powerful and versatile hardware to unlock new Windows 10 experiences, including new Surface, Lumia and Microsoft Band devices, Signature Edition PCs, Xbox One, Office, a variety of accessories and more. The flagship store is the only location to showcase Microsoft Surface Hub.

“The larger footprint means a deeper customer experience of Microsoft’s ecosystem in what we consider to be one of the greatest shopping districts in the world,” Soligon said. “It really is an awesome canvas to be able to highlight products and have them come to life for customers.”

The store’s Answer Desk—which offers expert support for PCs and phones regardless of where a customer bought the device—is larger than that of other Microsoft Stores. Its two community theaters offer roomy event space for free community and educational programs. And on Monday evening, the store will host eager fans awaiting the launch of “Halo 5: Guardians,” with opportunities to meet developers from 343 Industries, the game’s creator.

Team members at the flagship store team speak a total of 19 languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin, Arabic and Russian, to help customers from New York and around the world.

As part of the flagship opening, Microsoft is donating more than $3 million in software and technology grants to 14 New York organizations, which are largely focused on education and helping youths. The work and donations are part of Microsoft’s larger goal of empowering communities with technology, which has included more than $81 million in donated grants to over 200 nonprofits in celebration of store openings.

“This is something that is super important to us and really layers back up to the company’s mission of how we are helping people achieve more,” Soligon said. “We really strive to be part of the fabric of every community where we operate.”

The flagship store also features an exterior culture wall, designed to display digital imagery representative of the vibrant Fifth Avenue shopping district culture. The culture wall—40 feet wide by 20 feet high—is part of Microsoft’s vision of becoming an integral member of the community. It will display non-commercial, artistic images that complement the building’s architecture and façade.

To celebrate the flagship’s grand opening, Microsoft will host a community concert Monday night with rapper Pitbull at Rockefeller Center®.

Visit the Microsoft Flagship Store home page to learn more.

Lead image: Microsoft Flagship Store in New York City.