Discount Saks store could be latest addition to growing Sunset Park retail hub

A storied department store chain founded in 1898 may be the latest addition to the growing Liberty View Industrial Plaza in Sunset Park.

Saks Fifth Avenue could be making its way to the Sunset Park facility, according to the Commercial Observer, which reported that Saks recently signed a letter of intent to develop Saks Off 5th, the company’s sister discount store, at the growing facility.

According to The Commercial Observer, Saks would take on 30,000 square feet on the ground floor of the 1.2 million-square-foot building which itself is nearly 100 years old.

The building, 850 Third Avenue, is located along the Sunset Park waterfront next door to the six-million-square-foot Industry City. In December, the city announced it would invest $3.5 million towards a fashion manufacturing hub within the same complex.

If the plan comes to fruition, it will be the second time in five months that Liberty View has landed a well-known retailer. In January, Bed, Bath and Beyond — as well as three corporate siblings, buybuy BABY, Cost World Plus Market and Harmon Face Values — announced it was moving in, making it the store’s first location in southwest Brooklyn, slated to open by 2016. In addition, last year, electronics store Micro Center, which owns 30,000 square feet of space, opened there.

Salmar Properties purchased the massive space in 2011 from the New York Economic Development Corporation.

“I think this is a huge thing for Brooklyn and Sunset Park specifically because the need for good retail shopping is very important, and the community really lacks that right now,” said managing member of the building’s owner, Salmar Realties, Marvin Schein back in January of the Bed, Bath and Beyond news.

With respect to Saks Off 5^th, Salmar Realties declined to comment.

Additional reporting contributed by Meaghan McGoldrick