Louis Vuitton plans opulent, Frank Gehry-designed Rodeo Drive flagship in Beverly Hills
With plans for an ultra-opulent hotel on Rodeo Drive stymied by voters two years ago, the Paris fashion house's owners are back with a proposal for a theatrical flagship store designed by Frank Gehry that would anchor the north end of the famous retail corridor.
Luxury goods stores on Rodeo Drive are growing larger as top-shelf retailers increasingly up the ante to dazzle shoppers, and the vision from Louis Vuitton owner LVMH is one of the biggest yet, with restaurants, rooftop gardens and exhibition space.
Set to open in 2029 pending city approval, the store will be one continuous structure connected across an alley by two pedestrian bridges and a tunnel.
The flagship store will be built on the site on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California (above) on which Louis Vuitton had proposed building a Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills hotel. City planners rejected that proposal. Photo: AFP
Louis Vuitton's new store will be 45,000 sq ft (4,180 square metres) on the retail side fronting on Rodeo Drive and an additional 55,000 square feet on the hospitality-focused side of the building.
'The new location will take visitors into a full Louis Vuitton lifestyle experience showcasing its diverse universes of products and one-of-a-kind client experiences,' the company said.
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