Carolina Herrera Flagship Store on Madison Avenue - New York, NY
Elegance Boutique for Fashion, Fragrances, and Exclusive Makeup
Spacesmith acted as executive architect on the renovation of Carolina Herrera’s three-story flagship store on Madison Avenue. The main goal of the project was to refresh and open the building’s façade and give clientele a comfortable retreat from city streets. Using clues from Carolina Herrera’s archives, our team created a space that encompasses brand identity.
Located in a landmark district, Spacesmith worked closely with lead designers Studio Mellone and Chiara de Regi and code consultants on the NYC landmark review process.
The terra cotta cladding of the upper two thirds of the façade was delicately cleaned as to not damage the landmarked finish, and the lower third of the façade was painted to match the restored upper portion.
Awnings in red and white with the brand’s name give a splash of color to the exterior. Double French doors were added to the entrance and the building received new windows by Italian fabricators, allowing natural light to pour into the space.
The interior renovation addressed all three front-of-house levels and the lower level, in which the tailor’s workshop and employee spaces reside. The first floor is dedicated to women’s apparel, the second to more apparel and perfume, and the third to bridal wear.
Arched display niches play on the neoclassical roots of the townhouse and give the interiors a villa-like feel. Each floor has over-sized, plush seating in shades of pink, fuchsia, and turquoise, and coffee tables in the center, adding to the comfort of the boutique.
“As architect of record, Spacesmith was extremely helpful in explaining the design architect’s intentions, moving the project forward, and being available to answer questions as needed. As one of only three retail stores in the country, the New York location makes a very important marketing and branding statement for the company, and has attracted a lot of attention in the marketplace. The company’s senior leadership could not be more pleased with the outcome of this project – it’s like a dream come true.”