The Ghost of Woolworths: Dining Among Antiques at RH Estates on Greenwich Avenue
If you thought the new RH Estates showroom at 265 Greenwich Avenue was just another high-end furniture store, think again.
RH’s first-ever freestanding Estates destination spans 20,000 square feet across two levels. The space integrates RH collections with one-of-a-kind global antiques and works from legendary ateliers like Michael Taylor and Formations. Anchoring the building is Cucina Angelina, an 88-seat Italian restaurant complete with a light-Emperador marble bar, European oak millwork, wool velvet banquettes, and a menu of wood-fired pizzas and Italian classics.
The "RH Ecosystem"
With the main showroom at the Post Office (310 Greenwich), RH Outdoor (264 Greenwich), and now RH Estates (265 Greenwich), RH effectively anchors a multi-property footprint on the Avenue. Residents generally welcome a high-profile tenant breathing long-term life back into the landmark Beaux-Arts former Ralph Lauren space; however, judging by RH's volatile stock performance this year, Greenwich may wish its retail portfolio had a bit more diversification.
Pivot From Minimalist to Warmth
Design watchers view the concept as an explicit shift away from cold, ultra-modern minimalism, embracing classical architecture, ornate antiques, and layered textures instead. Most home design enthusiasts will be happy to trade sharp, sterile lines for warm, historic craftsmanship.
The Modern Lunch Counter
While a full-service restaurant inside a retail space feels like a trendy modern play on "experiential retail," it is fundamentally a high-end reinvention of a classic playbook. Just up the block at 205 Greenwich Avenue (now home to Saks), the old Woolworth store drew generations of local shoppers to its iconic lunch counter to dine alongside household goods.
Between the Lines: Decades after Woolworth served meals beside sewing accessories and copybooks, Greenwich Avenue comes full circle with wood-fired pizza served alongside rare antiques.