World-famous jeweller Tiffany & Co. said it will open its first west coast Florida store at International Plaza when the 1.2-million-square-foot mall opens next September.
Tiffany, known for its sign…
World-famous jeweller Tiffany & Co. said it will open its first west coast Florida store at International Plaza when the 1.2-million-square-foot mall opens next September. Tiffany, known for its signature blue gift boxes, joins an already glittering tenant list at International Plaza. Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor have announced plans to open their first Tampa area stores. Landing Tiffany“s clearly marks International Plaza – a joint venture of Michigan-based Taubman Centers and Ivanhoe Inc. of Montreal – as upscale territory, said Wendy Liebmann, a New York retail consultant. “Tiffany isn“t everywhere,” said Liebmann. “The concept of the blue Tiffany box is very precious to real estate developers who are looking to set the tone for a high-end mall.” Portrayed in the 1961 Audrey Hepburn film “Breakfast at Tiffany“s,” the retailer has an almost storybook appeal, said Liebmann. “It“s recognized around the world both by people who can afford to shop there and those who can“t,” she said. Tiffany“s has 132 stores in 16 countries including three in South Florida – Palm Beach, Bal Harbour and Boca Raton. It has wanted to expand into the Tampa market for some time, said Beth O. Canavan, the company“s executive vice president. International Plaza“s battery of high-end retailers attracted the jeweler, Canavan said. The 6,500-square-foot store will be the same size as other Tiffany“s – except its flagship New York store – and carry a similar mix of jewelry, china and crystal.