Retail + Commercial News | Hospitality Design

Thomas Heatherwick Reimagines Longchamp’s Soho Flagship

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:55:49 +0000

Longchamp has unveiled its reimagined Soho flagship in New York.

The project reunites the French luxury brand with Thomas Heatherwick, founder of London-based design firm Heatherwick Studio, nearly two decades after he first brought the downtown destination to life as La Maison Unique.

Staying close to the roots

Staying true to the space’s original architectural spirit, the refreshed boutique introduces a bold, contemporary identity shaped by the brand’s commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

At its core is a striking reinterpretation of Heatherwick’s signature staircase—now rendered in Longchamp’s vibrant Energy Green. Cascading like a steel ribbon, the form guides guests upward in a gentle, promenade-like ascent.

“At Heatherwick Studio, every project begins with a question,” says Neil Hubbard, partner and group leader of Heatherwick Studio. “For the Soho boutique, it was simple: how do we encourage people to journey upward from such a narrow entrance? The answer became a kind of architectural landscape—a staircase that feels like a gentle promenade, with sculptural shelving as a reward once you arrive at the top. It’s a concept sparked years ago during our work on La Maison Unique, and it’s thrilling to see how ideas can evolve over time.”

A lived-in experience at Longchamp

The second-floor retail area takes on the warmth of a thoughtfully curated living room that’s layered with tactile details. Swirling green carpets seem to spill from ceiling to floor, exposed brick nods to Soho’s industrial past, and sculptural furnishings including Raphaël Raffel’s vintage 1970s croissant couch are on display. Contemporary artworks—like ceramics and sculptures by David Nash, Tanaka Tomomi, and Dorothée Loriquet—layer the boutique with texture and reflect Longchamp’s material ethos as well.

Throughout, the design invites guests to linger. Playful details, like a glowing neon rider logo and poetic graffiti by artist André, animate the space, while midcentury modern pieces and archival Longchamp objects—such as leather-trimmed game boards and wooden pipes—anchor the store in the maison’s rich heritage.

“Retail moves fast, but architecture should last,” Hubbard adds. “We wanted to create something bold and joyful, yet warm and timeless—an apartment-like space that invites people to stay. From the swirling green rugs under green-carpeted columns to curved furniture that feels custom but lived-in, everything was designed to feel unified and human. Even the red brick walls downstairs, set to host rotating installations, help ground the space in Soho’s industrial roots while creating room for surprise.”

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Ballers to Debut Design-Forward Social Sports Club in Philadelphia

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:00:52 +0000

Ballers, a new hospitality-infused social sports venue, will make its debut this July in Philadelphia, introducing an experience-forward take on the racquet sports boom.

Founded by wellness entrepreneurs David Gutstadt and Amanda Potter—alumni of Equinox and Fitler Club—and developed by Good City Studio and Vero Capital, the concept pairs world-class courts with dynamic design, recovery spaces, and elevated dining to create a next-generation third space.

The Philadelphia flagship is the first of several planned locations. Venues in Boston (August 2025) and Miami (early 2026) are set to follow.

A $20 million Series A round led by Sharp Alpha and RHC Group—with support from athletes and celebrities including Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, and 76ers owner David Blitzer—underscores the brand’s bold expansion plan, which aims to open 50 locations over the next decade.

A new kind of sports club

Housed inside Philadelphia’s landmark Turbine Hall, the 55,000-square-foot spaces features six pickleball courts, three padel courts, squash, turf, and golf simulators, all beneath soaring 75-foot ceilings.

Designed for both casual players and serious athletes, the venue also includes a full-service restaurant, bar, and lounge areas that are configurable for private events.

The experience extends beyond sport with a luxe wellness lounge outfitted with saunas, cold plunges, and compression therapy. Members can access fitness and recovery zones, premium locker rooms, and curated programming, while non-members are welcome to book courts and enjoy the social amenities.

Forthcoming Ballers locations

Ballers Boston, set to open in August in the Seaport, will introduce the city’s first padel courts alongside seasonal programming (including an ice rink in winter). Miami will launch in early 2026, bringing the brand’s signature combination of sport, style, and social energy to a tropical setting near downtown.

“Having played tennis in college, racquet sports have always been a passion of mine,” says Gutstadt, founder and CEO of Ballers. “So when we saw the opportunity to marry the powerful trend and innovations in urban social sports including pickleball, padel, and golf with our unique expertise in design and community-building, we went all in on Ballers.”

“The incredible response to our Philadelphia pop-up last year showed us that people are craving this connection through sports, and we’re excited to show that when paired with unparalleled hospitality, athletics can go beyond just leagues, lessons, or court time,” he adds.

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The Malin Expands to New York’s Flatiron District

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:52:02 +0000

The Malin has debuted its newest location in New York’s Flatiron neighborhood, introducing its hospitality-infused take on the modern workspace to a landmark building atop Equinox Flatiron.

Spanning 32,700 square feet, the two-story Flatiron outpost is The Malin’s largest to date, and marks its fifth opening in the city and eighth nationwide.

The venue includes 20 private offices, 36 dedicated desks, 21 phone booths, three meeting rooms, a 14-person boardroom, and two kitchens. A pair of library lounges and a light-filled mezzanine offer additional zones for quiet focus or larger gatherings.

Inside The Malin Flatiron

Designed in-house by The Malin’s team, the workspace honors the building’s industrial character, which is defined by soaring ceilings, exposed steel columns, and timber trusses.

Rather than reconfiguring the structure, the design team embraced a minimal intervention strategy that preserves the original layout and enhances it with flourishes like tall timber doors, signature archways, and tailored partitions.

A moody, tactile palette featuring natural materials and layered lighting is paired with solid oak desks, recycled crystal dividers, and a curated mix of soft textures.

The new location also unveils a partnership with Equinox Flatiron, offering exclusive cross-access perks to members of both communities.

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Historic Venice Post Office Transforms Into a Creative Haven

Stephanie Chen — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:40:38 +0000

Located a block from California’s Venice Beach Boardwalk, the Lighthouse breathes new life into the historic Venice Post Office, originally built in 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

The ground floor offers open workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, a central café, living rooms, and a theater in a light, open environment meant to encourage interaction.

In contrast, the basement exudes a darker, industrial aesthetic, and houses the property’s production facilities such as podcast studios, a test kitchen, photo and music studios, and an analog studio.

Form meets function at the Lighthouse

Designed by Warkentin Associates, the 22,500-square-foot project combines meticulous historical preservation with contemporary design to create a dynamic two-floor campus tailored to creators.

The architectural style draws on Bauhaus principles, emphasizing functional design through a blend of analog and digital environments. A simple and functional material palette incorporating unadorned metals, wood, glass, and concrete. Pops of color appear through furniture, rugs, and accessories, while private office partitions feature muted green forbo panels.

Standout art pieces include Edward Biberman’s monumental 1941 painting Abbot Kinney and the Story of Venice, which is on display in historic lobby, and a site-specific rubber light installation by Brian Thoreen in the basement level.

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Kith Revamps Its Three-Story Manhattan Flagship

Stephanie Chen — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:19:16 +0000

Fashion and lifestyle brand Kith has unveiled a sophisticated reimagining of its landmark three-story flagship location in New York’s Nolita neighborhood.

The renovation introduces a dynamic gradient of materials and tones, guiding visitors through a thoughtfully choreographed spatial progression.

Journeying through Kith’s new gradient design

The first floor—dedicated exclusively to Kith Men’s in-house collections—establishes a moody, grounded tone through stained walnut paneling, satin brass fixtures, and recessed leather-lined shelving. Brass-inlaid patterned flooring and custom millwork set a dramatic tone at entry.

An architectural showpiece staircase ascends beneath a continuous plastered barrel-vault ceiling, forming both a visual and physical spine for the store.

The second level, home to Kith’s curated multi-brand offerings, presents a lighter contrast against the rich palette below. White oak finishes are paired with Verias Green marble portals that frame entryways, guiding the flow throughout the space.

The experience culminates on the third floor with a gallery-like showcase of Kith’s footwear. Here, the palette consists of herringbone wood flooring, green marble benches, and custom seating in dark walnut and brass.

Throughout the store, the Kith & Kin Crest logo is subtly reintroduced through embossed leather wallcoverings and bespoke lighting, reinforcing its brand identity.

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David Yurman Expands With Miami Flagship

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:16:11 +0000

David Yurman has opened its newest flagship in Miami’s Design District.

Designed as a playground for creativity and craftsmanship, the two-story boutique captures the essence of the brand’s heritage through a design led by David Yurman’s president and chief creative officer Evan Yurman, Italian architect Andrea Tognon, and consulting creative director Bernadette Blanc.

Rooted in brand identity

Inspired by materials central to the brand’s identity, like precious metals and semi-precious stones, the boutique reflects a meticulous attention to detail.

A striking extruded logo anchors the storefront, a nod to the brand’s Americana aesthetic. “We started discussing the project from the perspective of jewelry—cutting the façade from a gigantic volume of stone, fusing the split stone with a metallic paint, resulting in an incredible monolithic vision and presence on the street,” explains Tognon.

Inside, curated design features reinforce David Yurman’s distinctive style. Various stone finishes are applied to fixtures, resembling precious jewelry insertions. A stepped granite wall flows through the interior like a sculptural ribbon, mirroring the elegance of a necklace. Touches of the brand’s iconic Cable motif appear in subtle yet deliberate ways, such as a sculpted handrail leading into the space and a circular vitrine resting beneath the staircase.

The private salon at David Yurman Miami Design District

The second floor of the boutique is home to a private salon with expansive views of the Design District. This intimate space houses collections for men, women, and high jewelry alongside a curated selection of artwork and personal pieces from David Yurman.

“The retail world is constantly rethinking itself,” Tognon adds. “As we collaborated with Evan Yurman on this project, our main goal was innovation coexisting with the brands rich heritage. Working together, we were able to design a classic design ground in which new and existing consumers can feel comfortable exploring.”

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Barclays Center Moves Ahead With $100 Million Expansion

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:15:48 +0000

Shawmut Design and Construction, BSE Global, and architecture firm Populous have teamed up for the second phase of enhancements at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Elevated hospitality experiences set to debut at the arena ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season.

Key projects include Gallagher Terrace, a new premium club, and the Bridge, an upper-concourse fan zone.

The Gallagher Terrace lounge

Gallagher Terrace will replace the arena’s Loge Boxes and portions of the 40/40 Club with an exclusive 5,300-square-foot lounge channeling the spirit of Brooklyn’s Gilded Age.

Designed for just 110 members, the space will feature plush banquette seating accented by dynamic LED lighting visible from the bowl. It’s the only club in the venue to offer in-seat dining with waiter service, alongside a dedicated VIP entrance and private bar.

The Bridge, a new fan zone

Meanwhile, the west end of the upper concourse will be transformed into the Bridge, a 6,800-square-foot, two-level destination open to all guests.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic bridges that connect Brooklyn to the rest of New York, the Bridge will feature an elevated platform for in-game performances, a 63-foot-long bar—the largest in the arena—and panoramic views of the Downtown Brooklyn skyline through newly installed windows. Two retail concepts will also be added to the space.

Additional updates at Barclays Center

Other updates include upgrades to the Garden Bar, located on the main concourse, and redesigned backstage dressing rooms created in partnership with the Brooklyn Home Company.

Construction will begin at the end of the 2024–25 Brooklyn Nets season and wrap ahead of the 2025–26 season. The work will not impact the New York Liberty’s schedule or the Barclays Center’s summer concert lineup.

The project follows the debut of the Toki Row membership club and JetBlue at the Key, part of phase one of the venue’s long-term enhancement plan.

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French Retailer Printemps Makes Its US Debut in New York

Stephanie Chen — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:41:07 +0000

French luxury retailer Printemps has debuted its New York flagship at One Wall Street, a historic Art Deco landmark, in the Financial District.

Designed by architect Laura Gonzalez, the two-level, 55,000-square-foot store blends the essence of a Parisian apartment with contemporary New York flair.

Salon

Design influences

Drawing from Printemps’ 160-year legacy and the iconic architecture of its Paris flagship, the store’s interiors highlight luxurious materials and intricate craftsmanship such as wood floors with stone inlay, richly patterned textiles, and custom handmade tiles.

Upcycled furniture and works by celebrated artists, including William Coggin and Charles Kaisin, contribute to the layered aesthetic, while bespoke stained-glass panels and large-scale frescoes emphasize the dialogue between American and French design traditions.

“For a project of this magnitude, we were meticulous in choosing the right architect, as working within a landmark building requires navigating a distinct set of complexities,” says Printemps CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche. “Laura Gonzalez has a unique style that aligns with Printemps’ DNA, blending elements from residential, hospitality, and retail designs. We aimed to create something wholly unique, bringing an immediate ‘wow’ effect to our visitors and clients, and Laura’s design ensures our audience will immediately recognize this new, compelling space.”

Distinctive spaces at Printemps New York

Sneaker Room

The store features 10 uniquely designed areas. An undulating glass entrance on Broadway welcomes visitors into the vibrant Playroom, a multicolored marble space housing casualwear, gifts, and Café Jalu, an all-day café named after Printemps’ founders. The Playroom also includes the immersive Sneaker Room, crowned by a ceiling-spanning LED screen.

Side-by-side escalators lead to the second-floor Salon, where intricate wood flooring and floral-patterned carpets nod to Printemps’ heritage. Salon Vert, a Parisian-inspired raw bar overlooking Broadway, features handpainted tiles that reflect Gonzalez’s signature style.

The menswear section, La Garçonnière, juxtaposes monochromatic patterns with pink moiré wallpaper, soft pink curtains, and pastel frescoes, while the adjacent Beauty Corridor—a minimalist space of light beige concrete and resin—connects the original Art Deco tower with the building’s newer addition.

The corridor opens into the beauty and spa area, the Salle de Bain, which seamlessly transitions to the Boudoir. This elegant space—defined by double-height ceilings, moon gold-colored metal cladding, and cracked lacquer screens—showcases evening wear, vintage clothing, and fine jewelry.

F&B experiences

Red Room Bar

Printemps New York also offers five distinct dining venues. Fine-dining concept Maison Passerelle features handpainted tiles, stained glass, and frescoes, while the Wine Shop’s terracotta floors and green marble accents evoke a blend of old and new.

On the ground level, the cozy Red Room Bar, adorned with rich red jasper marble and stained glass, opens to the landmark Red Room, a red ombré and gold mosaic Art Deco space that houses Printemps’ whimsical shoe forest.

“As the landscape of commerce continues to evolve, the lines between retail and hospitality will increasingly blur,” Bellaiche adds. “The future lies in creating seamless experiences that prioritize connection, emotion, comfort, and community, where these two disciplines converge to redefine client engagement.”

Playroom

Champagne Bar

Red Room

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YOO and IWG Team Up to Launch Club-Style Workspaces

Stephanie Chen — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:00:36 +0000

YOO, a residential design brand, is joining forces with IWG, a firm specializing in flexible workspaces, to introduce a new concept that merges design and productivity.

Marking YOO’s first foray into the workplace sector, the five-year partnership will bring thoughtfully designed, technology-driven workspaces to key markets across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and the Middle East.

“We are thrilled to join forces with IWG to pioneer a new design-approach to flexible working,” says John Hitchcox, chairman and cofounder of YOO. “This partnership allows us to bring YOO’s iconic designs to a global audience while addressing the changing demands of modern life. Together, we are creating destinations where people can work and thrive.”

The Lakes by YOO in Cotswolds, UK

Blending YOO’s signature design-forward approach with IWG’s expertise in adaptable work solutions, the collaboration will offer elevated environments tailored to the evolving demands of modern professionals. Each location will reflect its local market and deliver a cohesive experience centered on innovation, functionality, and community.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen hybrid and more flexible ways of working become the default model for millions and we are pleased to continually expand our products and services to meet the needs of our customers today and tomorrow,” says Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG. “Through this partnership with YOO, we are blending YOO’s standout design innovation with our unrivaled flexible workspace and office expertise, to provide beautiful, functional spaces that meet the demands of the future.”

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Eyewear Brand Framed Ewe Gets a Playful Refresh

Stephanie Chen — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:30:35 +0000

High-end eyewear retailer Framed Ewe has debuted refreshed designs at its Los Angeles and Phoenix stores, courtesy of Los Angeles-based designer Adi Goodrich.

A new façade for the LA store

In Los Angeles, the store’s updated façade boasts olive-hued porcelain tiles and an eyeglass-shaped window display.

Goodrich drew inspiration from the shop’s Art Deco architecture and the geometry of eyewear, incorporating rounded forms, timeless materials, and playful patterns into the space.

The redesign also showcases the complete reimagining of Framed Ewe’s graphic design identity.

Framed Ewe’s Phoenix flagship

The Phoenix flagship underwent a complete transformation with a focus on rich materials and bold accents.

The store is anchored by a 16-foot acidic violet upholstered fitting station, which contrasts the warmth of its cherrywood tones. Concrete terrazzo countertops add a modern touch, while a 25-foot dimensional wooden mural runs along the length of the shop.

Both stores share a unifying feature: black-and-cream checkerboard patterned storefronts, a nod to the zig-zag aesthetic of the Art Deco era.

“My goal was to infuse the space with a sense of history while keeping it slightly unexpected,” says Goodrich. “The interior design honors Framed Ewe’s history of selling quality designer eyewear.”

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