The long-awaited Harry Potter New York store, announced by Warner Bros. more than a year ago for 935 Broadway, will open on June 3, the company announced. Spanning three floors and over 21,000 square feet, the store will house the largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof, offering interactive elements and exclusive products in 15 themed areas.
Harry Potter New York will open with a virtual queueing system in place. When customers visit the store, they will scan a QR code to join the virtual queue and return when notified. Entering the store, customers will pass under a huge model of Fawkes the phoenix gazing down from the ceiling. Created especially for Harry Potter New York by a team of specialist prop-makers over a number of months, the model weighs over 220 pounds and is just one of many painstakingly detailed, handmade props.
“The level of artistic detail and quality of the design inspired by the movies means Harry Potter New York will bring a completely new shopping experience to the city,’ said Sarah Roots, executive vice president of Warner Bros. Worldwide Tours and Retail. ‘With over 1,000 Wizarding World props on display (including some authentic items which featured in the movies), the incredible theming, along with experiences such as photo opportunities and the fantastic range of products, there will be something special for every fan.”
Fans can pose at one of many photo opportunities, including posing inside a London phone box for a photo as if transporting themselves into the Ministry of Magic, or even seeing themselves as if they were inside Hagrid’s giant boots. The Personalization Area offers unique products with various personalization options, including engraving a wand, embossing a journal or embroidering a House robe with their name.
The store will incorporate digital technologies, including integration with the Harry Potter Fan Club app. Users will find a number of Enchanted Keys throughout the store that unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes facts, figures and videos. Opening later in the summer, two immersive multiplayer virtual reality experiences will real-time interactive exploration of the Wizarding World. “Chaos at Hogwarts” lets hopeful witches and wizards step into a magical journey to Hogwarts Castle and become part of the adventure where magical creatures and secrets await. Fans will need their wands at the ready as “Wizards Take Flight” prepares guests to fly on brooms with the thrills of a magical wand battle against Death Eaters over the skies of London and around the enchanting grounds of Hogwarts Castle.
Aspiring witches and wizards will be able to browse for Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans in an area inspired by the whimsical surroundings of Honeydukes. The Dirigible Plum tree will house magical creature soft toys, while the Wand Shop will offer over 50 wands inspired by characters, locations and props from the Wizarding World, including the Golden Snitch wand, exclusive to Harry Potter New York.
In addition, the store will be home to America’s only House of MinaLima. Within the walls of Harry Potter New York, MinaLima, the graphic design duo on all Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, will create a gallery and store showcasing the graphic art of the Wizarding World. Fans will discover prints of the Daily Prophet covers, Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letter and the Quibbler, all hand designed by MinaLima in a space modeled after their iconic London shop.
Alongside the main collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products, fans will be able to choose from a range of brand collaborations including Spirit Jerseys, Loungefly handbags and many other fan-favorite ranges including Pottery Barn Teen.
