Update on REI Progress at Puck Building

Five months ago, blockbuster news dropped that REI was planning to open its first New York City location inside the landmarked Puck Building at 295 Lafayette. The upscale camping retailer will occupy 39,000 square-feet across three floors – ground level, cellar, sub-cellar – and will reportedly house a bike center and “Outdoor School” courses alongside the general inventory of gear and apparel.

There really hasn’t been much action to report since the lease was signed with property owner Kushner Companies last September. Indeed, steady work did not actually begin until recently. Within the last month, a string of permits was filed with the DOB for the project. The most recent being the “removal of non-bearing partitions and plumbing fixtures.”

Plywood sidewalk shed is now in place on the Mulberry Street facade, and the ground level looks cleared for business. When we stopped by Thursday afternoon, there were a bunch of contractors pacing the interior.  Some dumpster bins inside, too.  It begins…

REI currently boasts an arsenal of 112 stores nationwide, and is making a concerted effort to assert its presence in the tri-state area.  Scheduled opening date for this location is still fall 2011. Time for some aggressive sales, EMS…?