Prepping for Takeoff: Jordan Brand’s World Of Flight Seems To Be Nearing Its Final Approach

Construction at the first US store from Nike’s Jordan Brand at 1617 Walnut Street seems to be (fingers crossed!) entering the final phases.

Milan, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, and now Philadelphia – Philly is about to be officially part of basketball’s most exclusive retail club.

With what looks like the finishing touches are being applied to America’s first Jordan Brand World of Flight store at 1617 Walnut Street, we’re starting to get more and more excited. Because this isn’t a typical sneaker destination. World of Flight is Jordan Brand‘s basketball love letter written in retail form – an immersive experience where court culture meets luxury shopping, designed for those who understand that MJ’s legacy runs deeper than just iconic kicks.

A Building’s Comeback Story

Let’s talk about this gorgeous Art Deco building that’s been sitting on the bench for nearly a decade. Since British retailer Jack Wills closed up shop around 2015, this architectural gem has been like that incredibly talented player who just needed the right coach to unlock their potential. 

Nike clearly saw what we all saw: a building with serious game that just needed the right opportunity to shine. The Philadelphia Historical Commission signed off on the renovation plans, which include modifications to what was supposed to be an illuminated Jumpman that’s going to become as recognizable as the Liberty Bell to anyone cruising through Rittenhouse.

The construction approach has been methodical—like a championship team building their roster. No rushing, no cutting corners, just steady progress toward something extraordinary.

Building Something Championship-Worthy

The crews have been handling all the behind-the-scenes work that matters most—reinforcing the foundation, updating infrastructure, basically giving this building the structural support system it needs to handle what’s about to be some seriously heavy foot traffic.

Equipment is moving in, walls are taking shape, and what insiders describe as an “altar-like” display area is coming together. It’s clear Nike understands they’re not just opening a store—they’re creating a shrine to basketball culture and Jordan’s legendary impact on the game.

Philly Gets the Starting Position

Here’s why Philly earning the first U.S. World of Flight store, in our (admittedly biased opinion) makes perfect sense: sneaker culture is embedded in Philly. This is a city where people wear Jordans to job interviews, weddings, and everything in between. Where the line between streetwear and high fashion doesn’t just blur—it disappears entirely, in the best possible way.

Plus, Nike’s support for our city runs deeper than casual brand loyalty. When Jalen Hurts signed with Jordan Brand, it wasn’t just an endorsement deal—it was a cultural alignment. And when Nike hung that massive Hurts banner in the World of Flight windows the day after the Birds won the Super Bowl, it wasn’t just marketing genius—it was pure Philly love.

The New Playbook for Experiential Retail

Forget everything you think you know about sneaker stores. The World of Flight concept, which first debuted in Milan and Tokyo, represents a complete reimagining of retail—like switching from isolation plays to a sophisticated offensive system that gets everyone involved.

This isn’t about grabbing a pair of shoes off the wall and heading to checkout. We’re optimistically hoping to see the similar talking about interactive displays that tell the story of Jordan’s impact on basketball culture, premium materials that make every surface feel intentional, and experiences designed to make us understand why the Jumpman logo is a symbol.

We’d like to think of it as Jordan Brand’s masterclass in cultural storytelling, where every element serves to deepen your appreciation for the intersection of sport, style, and innovation that Michael Jordan represents.

Why Rittenhouse is the Perfect Play

Nike’s decision to plant their flag on Walnut Street shows they understand the assignment. Rittenhouse’s retail corridor operates like a well-coached team—every player (store) brings something different to the lineup, but they all work together to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

We have the popular veterans like Madewell and Anthro anchoring the everyday essentials, heavyweights like Tiffany & Co. and Saatva (also experiential retail) handling the luxury plays, and an emerging bench of newcomers like Reformation and Aritzia adding fresh energy to the rotation. The World of Flight store slides perfectly into this ecosystem as the star player everyone’s been waiting to see suit up. We’d like to believe that this is why JD Sports arrived, why New Balance moved over to a sharper space, and why Mitchell & Ness is moving their flagship to this side of Broad. And we know this was the impetus for collectible shoe boutique Bullseye moving to Rittenhouse.

The location also puts Jordan Brand within walking distance of some of the city’s best restaurants—because what’s the point of dropping serious money on amazing sneakers if you can’t immediately celebrate with equally amazing food?!

The Fourth Quarter could (will) be Legendary

While Nike hasn’t announced an official opening date and they haven’t responded to our inquiries, we’re optimistically hoping for a 2025 debut. The careful construction approach suggests they’re building something meant to last—not just a store, but a landmark that will become as essential to the Rittenhouse experience as the park itself.

When those doors finally open, they won’t just reveal America’s first Jordan Brand World of Flight store. They’ll unveil a new chapter in Philadelphia’s relationship with sneaker culture, happening right here in our neighborhood, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

We’ll be sure to update this post and share any new news on social media the moment we know (or see!)

📍1617 Walnut St