Exterior of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann flagship
French department store chain Galeries Lafayette’s Paris flagship is about to get a makeover.
After holding a competition between three architectural firms, the retailer has chosen AL_A to redesign its Boulevard Haussmann store, including its iconic dome. The modernization of the store is undertaken with the goal of better serving customers a 21st century shopping experience.
New look
The remodel of Galeries Lafayette’s 431,000-square-foot cupola structure will begin in 2017.
AL_A is behind the extension of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum and was the firm responsible for the remodel of Selfridges’ Birmingham store. The firm founded, by Amanda Levete, was selected by Galeries Lafayette for its bold plan that blends heritage with modernity.
“We are delighted to start this collaboration with Amanda Levete and her team to conduct the reinvention of this iconic Cupola building, which is also the soul of the Galeries Lafayette brand,” said Nicolas Houzé, CEO of Galeries Lafayette and BHV Marais, in a brand statement. “Amanda has demonstrated her talent for radical thinking and reimagining built heritage, and I am confident that her innovative vision will serve our ambition to offer to our clients the department store of the 21st century.”
Interior of Galeries Lafayette store
Other department stores have revamped their physical store presence with luxury clientele in mind.
High-end retailer El Palacio de Hierro underscored the influence of Mexican ultra-high-net-worth consumers with the remodeling of its flagship in Mexico City.
Mexico has been on the cusp of gaining an emerging market label, and as Brazil’s economic crisis worsens brands are increasingly looking at the North American country’s potential. When El Palacio de Hierro reopened its doors on Nov. 6, the Mexico City location became the single largest luxury department store in all of Latin America (see story).
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