NEW YORK CITY-The long and arduous search is now over. Afterhunting for space for nearly 25 years, NordstromInc., the Seattle-based specialty retailer known for itsiconic shoe department, has finally found its perfect fit –Gary Barnett’s new massive mixed-use tower nearOne57.

After finalizing an agreement with Barnett’s ExtellDevelopment Corp., the department store will establish itsfirst New York City flagship store inside the building at 225 W.57th St.

“It’s been a long time coming, and many of you know that,”Peter Nordstrom, president of merchandising forthe department store, said during a press conference at Nordstrom’streasure & bond SoHo location on Thursday afternoon. “We’ve hada lot of good opportunities to consider, and there are certainpeople who didn’t think it would ever happen, and that crossed ourminds as well. It just seemed pretty obvious that if we have thedesire to be a strong national company that we should have apresence here in the best retail city in the world.”