This Friday, a Meta Lab pop-up store opened on Fifth Avenue in New York. Although most of us know and love Meta primarily for its social platforms, this technology boutique is entirely dedicated to the company’s devices.
A Showroom That Feels Like a Testing Ground
The pop-up spans two floors. You can pick up, try on, and test any device, spending as much time with it as you need. The entire concept of the space is built around hands-on experience.
What You Can Try Here
Ray-Ban Meta
Several models of Meta’s smart glasses, created in collaboration with Ray-Ban, are on display. These include frames that can shoot video, as well as Ray-Ban Display glasses that show messages directly on the lenses. They feel like a cheat code from the future.
VR/AR by Meta
Meta Quest 3 and 3S devices have their own dedicated room where you can immerse yourself in virtual and mixed reality.
Oakley Meta
For anyone who has ever dreamed of sports glasses with a built-in GoPro-level camera, this is the place. The Oakley Meta HSTN and Oakley Meta Vanguard models look like classic sporty Oakleys but function like action cameras. And the price is… almost the same.
Prime Fifth Avenue Location
Situated between the luxury watch boutique Breguet and the former Burberry location, Meta is clearly positioning itself as a technological leader.
The building itself is part of New York’s architectural history: designed by the legendary Philip Johnson, featuring a penthouse gallery, and formerly home to Takashimaya. Meta has integrated into this cultural context with care and added its own bold accents.
Blue Interior and a Friendly Atmosphere
The interior of the pop-up is a mix of nostalgia and futurism. Meta knows exactly who its audience is — and how old they were when they were 15. Blue dominates the space so strongly that the sensation of “spilled blue” lingers long after you leave. This is likely what the dream rooms of 35-year-old teenagers look like.
The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic — enough to make you forget you’re in the middle of a bustling metropolis. You’ll want to stay longer, chat, and test a few more devices.
They also serve free coffee and cookies. There’s a seating area inside where you can take a break between trying out new technologies.
Useful Information
Address: Meta Lab / 697 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 19:00, Sundays until 18:00
