The Saks Fifth Avenue chain has finally confirmed that it is considering adding a casino to its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
The luxury department store located between 49e east and the 50e is sent to New York Post exclusive images of the Casino.
The images show smartly dressed guests seated at roulette tables, chic bars and cushioned chairs, with cocktails in hand. They enter the building through a separate entrance on a red carpet that extends to the sidewalk and opens into a spacious lobby adorned with chandeliers and decorative rugs.
The casino would span three floors from the ninth, where black-tie waiters will serve flutes of champagne, as reported Richard Baker, executive chairman and chief executive of HBC, the company that owns Saks.
“The casino at Saks will attract tourists from all over the world and will not prey on those who shouldn’t be in a casino,” Baker added.
“We’ve been working quietly with community groups, Broadway theaters, retailers and elected officials, and we have a lot of support for a different kind of casino in New York,” Baker said.
One motivation is that Fifth Avenue is in desperate need of attraction. This will increase the number of pedestrians on the iconic commercial avenue, especially at night when the shops close.
A casino will bring light, security and activity to the commercial artery, Baker added.
The century-old store has competition, as at least five billionaires are also vying for the project.
The Saks casino would be similar to the one that appears in the James Bond film Casino Royaleaccording to Baker.