The 100 stores—350,000 square feet of retail—near the Staten Island Ferry terminal will be part of a complex that includes an artisanal food hall and a boutique hotel replete with views of New York Harbor.

Wasabi Steak & Sushi, an upscale sushi and hibachi restaurant, will open its first New York location at Empire Outlets, the city's first retail outlet center being built on the St. George waterfront.

The first panels of the facade of Nordstorm Rack -- one of the retail anchors of Empire Outlets -- were erected on Wednesday, according to the project's developer.

Shake Shack will set up shop at BFC Partners’ Empire Outlets.