Mercedes-Benz To Launch Top-Of-The-Heap Showroom In Manhattan

For the few Manhattanites that can afford to own cars, and for those visiting from less-cramped spaces, Mercedes-Benz is opening a 333,000 square-foot flagship store on 11th Avenue between 53rd and 54th. Its light, airy look -- with tones of light blue, yellow and apricot "to convey the qualities of openness, lightness and trust" -- will be the company's primary example of its "Autohaus" design, which will shortly filter out to other dealers across the country. (In all, Mercedes and its dealer network will spend about $1.7 billion in design upgrades.) Gawkers and shoppers alike can pop in for a tour of the high-end showroom in the first part of 2011. [NYTimes]