Friday, January 17, 2025
Belmont Park Village is officially open for the holiday season. The 340,000 square foot shopping complex, built by The Bicester Collection and operated by Value Retail Management, is the first of its kind in the United States. Taking many cues from the immersive atmosphere of the Walt Disney Company theme parks, Belmont Park Village offers a bubble of seclusion that provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of Long Island life.
Jason Katz, the chief commercial officer of Value Retail Management, said the company’s goal was to create an unforgettable day out.
“We want the Village to be an oasis for our guests,” he said. “Whether they live around the corner or are visiting from abroad, we are creating a getaway from everyday life.”
Taking guests on a journey from SoHo to Sag Harbor, the $1.3 billion structure stands as a one of a kind tribute to the classic streets of New York City all the way through the rustic farmlands of Long Island’s east coast. Standing alongside The Bicester Collection’s nine villages in Europe and two villages in China, Belmont Park Village establishes a unique character that maintains the feel of the local area while simultaneously creating something entirely new.
The history encapsulated within the village provides special insight to iconic monuments of Belmont’s early days. Customers will feel as though they are stepping out of time and transporting to the early 20th century with designs reminiscent of Belmont Park’s opening in 1905.
The sense of discovery is a pillar of the overarching concept and design of the village. Every time a customer turns a corner, they can expect something new to be found. Whether it’s a brand customers have yet to shop, a restaurant they have yet to taste, or a quiet hideaway they have yet to experience, the village offers a wide array of sensory stimuli all within the safety of a sheltered environment.
Katz said the services provided by the village would include a “Hands-Free” shopping experience, where customers can drop their bags off with concierge and pick them up on their way out.
“Our guest is the discerning luxury customer, whether it be while at their home on Long Island, New York, or traveling, whether that be domestically, or abroad,” he said.
The developers, in partnership with UBS Arena, have also curated an experience that taps into the intersection of music and fashion. The developers will be partnering with artists performing at the arena for collaborations at the village.
The large-scale complex will bring around 1,500 jobs to Elmont and $800 million in economic benefits for the surrounding area. The jobs will include a variety of roles such as retail, hospitality, food and beverage, and services. The company offers comprehensive training that will lead to long-term career opportunities. The company has already hosted three local job fairs at UBS Arena in order to recruit workers, and there are more job fairs to come.
Value Retail Management also made it a point to collaborate with several local construction firms, including the Ronkonkoma-based firm Aurora. Boasting as the most sustainable retail destination in North America, Belmont Park Village is certified as the first complex to follow the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology, an accreditation common to building complexes in Europe.
In addition, Belmont Park Village has partnered with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders to further invest in the community through the Back to School Giveback Program and The Bicester Collection’s global Do Good program. By partnering with local charities, the village will continue its effort to support students, women, and children.
Located next to the Cross Island Parkway and the Elmont-UBS Arena train station, the village can be accessed through several modes of transportation. Shuttles will be provided directly from the Elmont-UBS Arena train station to the front of the village, and there will be drop-off points for Uber and Lyft commuters. For those travelling in their personal vehicles, a six-story parking garage is available just across the village’s entrance.
Once completed, the experiential shopping village will include 155 stores with a mix of local, national, and international brands to attract customers of all sensibilities. Not only do the developers hope to draw in customers from Long Island and Manhattan, but international customers, as well.
Belmont Park Village is opening on a rolling basis and will be adding more stores in the near future. For now, customers can enjoy the experience Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
