United American Land, together with The Jackson Group and Dreamscape Retail & Entertainment, introduced BKX, a retail and entertainment destination that will transform the former Macy's building in Brooklyn into a mixed-use experience spanning five levels. The redevelopment will repurpose approximately 440,000 square feet to combine retail, dining, entertainment and cultural programming under one roof.
BKX will feature large-format retail, immersive entertainment, food and beverage concepts, and flexible spaces for events and cultural activations. Positioned above one of New York City's busiest transit hubs, the development is designed to attract both local residents and visitors while supporting evolving urban retail patterns through a blend of permanent tenants and experience-driven attractions.
For consumers, BKX offers a day-to-night destination that reimagines a former department store as a community-focused leisure hub. The project reflects the growing trend of converting legacy retail spaces into mixed-use destinations that emphasize entertainment, dining and cultural experiences alongside traditional shopping.
Image Credit: Dreamscape Retail & Entertainment
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Retailtainment Redevelopment
- Former department stores are becoming multi-level leisure destinations where shopping, dining, and immersive attractions create new value from underused urban real estate.
- Transit-hub Destinations
- High-traffic transit-adjacent properties offer disruptive potential as all-day consumer hubs that blend convenience, entertainment, and community programming.
- Flexible Cultural Spaces
- Adaptable event and activation areas are reshaping retail centers into dynamic venues that can respond to local culture, seasonal demand, and experiential brand needs.
Sectors Adopting This
- Commercial Real Estate
- Mixed-use conversions provide a path for property owners to reposition legacy retail assets around experience-led foot traffic and diversified tenant models.
- Experiential Entertainment
- Immersive attractions inside retail environments expand entertainment beyond standalone venues and create new partnerships with landlords, restaurants, and brands.
- Food and Beverage
- Dining concepts gain relevance as anchors within lifestyle destinations, supporting longer visits and stronger day-to-night consumer engagement.
