CityCenterDC will add an outdoors brand to its retail mix: Canadian outfitter Arc’teryx. It will be the brand’s fourth store in the U.S. and its first one on the East Coast.
Arc’teryx was attracted to D.C. due to the demographics: people with high-income levels that can afford their price point. The outdoors and skiing-focused brand has a basic men’s lightweight down jacket starting at $325; its line also includes packs such as the $119 Sebring day pack and performance climbing gear.
“As we continue to expand our retail presence across North America, we are focused on cities that are aligned with our values and Washington D.C. certainly fits that mold,” said Adam Ketcheson, vice president of marketing for Arc’Teryx. “It is a vibrant and active hub in close proximity to some of the East Coast’s best outdoor experiences. We know our D.C. customer appreciates Arc’teryx’s unmatched design and craftsmanship.”
D.C. also has a robust tourist trade that would give Arc’teryx a national and international customer profile, according to Edward Goldmeier of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, one of the brokers on the deal. Goldmeier worked with Matthew Cooper of the same firm.
The brand originally set its sights on Georgetown for a D.C. outpost, Goldmeier said, but the mix of retail at CityCenterDC was ultimately a better fit.
“It really aligned them much closer with what they felt were the complementary stores that would attract their customer,” Goldmeier said.
Essentially, CityCenterDC is, at least from what we’ve seen thus far, almost entirely luxury or aspirational brands. And Georgetown isn’t that anymore.
“With no disrespect to T.J. Maxx,” Goldmeier said, “but when that starts to be the big face in Georgetown as opposed to what was originally proposed as a Bloomingdale’s, it does affect an outsider’s view of what’s going on there.”
Arc’teryx will open on the corner of H and 11th streets NW in about 3,100 square feet. Expect some kind of dramatic window display, Goldmeier said.
“They really pride themselves on having elements that will attract attention and allow people to notice them,” he said. The store aims to open by Dec. 1.
