Cover The facade of Louis Vuitton’s temporary space on 6 E. 57th St with facade with illuminated Louis Vuitton signage and a whimsical holiday installation of carousel-inspired giraffes
The facade of Louis Vuitton’s temporary space on 6 E. 57th St with facade with illuminated Louis Vuitton signage and a whimsical holiday installation of carousel-inspired giraffes
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At 6 East 57th Street, OMA’s soaring 16-meter trunk towers and mirrored gallery walls transform Manhattan retail into architectural theatre
In an era when luxury retail often feels formulaic, Louis Vuitton’s new temporary flagship at 6 East 57th Street makes a compelling argument for the department store as an artistic canvas. Opening November 15, the space—which will serve as the brand’s home during its Fifth Avenue flagship renovation—manages to both honour New York’s architectural heritage and push the boundaries of retail design.
The store’s most striking feature is a soaring atrium installation conceived by OMA’s Shohei Shigematsu. As a partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), the influential global architecture firm founded by Rem Koolhaas, Shigematsu brings the same innovative approach to retail that has defined OMA’s work in cultural institutions and urban planning.
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Above The facade of Louis Vuitton’s temporary space on 6 E. 57th St with facade with illuminated Louis Vuitton signage and a whimsical holiday installation of carousel-inspired giraffes
Above The exterior of Louis Vuitton’s flagship Fifth Avenue store undergoing renovation covered in wrapped in a monumental metallic Monogram canvas trunk design that echoes the brand’s heritage
The facade of Louis Vuitton’s temporary space on 6 E. 57th St with facade with illuminated Louis Vuitton signage and a whimsical holiday installation of carousel-inspired giraffes
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Fresh from orchestrating the brand’s Bangkok retrospective, his vision for the New York space centres on four towers, constructed entirely of the house’s signature Courrier Lozine 90 trunks, spiralling dramatically upward for 16 meters.
Each tower showcases different iterations of the Louis Vuitton visual lexicon—from historic stripes to metallic monograms—creating a playful and profound dialogue between past and present.
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Above OMA’s dramatic sculptural installation in the store’s atrium, featuring four 16-meter towers composed of stacked Courrier Lozine 90 trunks
Above Another view of OMA’s sculptural trunk installation, featuring zigzagging towers in black and gold alongside historic stripe patterns
OMA’s dramatic sculptural installation in the store’s atrium, featuring four 16-meter towers composed of stacked Courrier Lozine 90 trunks
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Equally ambitious is an 18-meter mirrored bag wall, where Keepalls and Speedys are stacked like gleaming bricks, creating an undulating surface that reflects and refracts the store’s activity.
This architectural sleight of hand is flanked by oversized murals featuring patterns from the brand’s artistic collaborators, including Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami, transforming utilitarian walls into a gallery of contemporary art.
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Above Interior view of OMA’s trunk tower installation, featuring white Damier and classic Monogram patterns, with diagonal lighting elements creating dramatic intersections across the space
Above A detailed view of one of OMA’s trunk towers in white Damier pattern with gold hardware, demonstrating the architectural precision of the installation as it rises toward the skylight
Interior view of OMA’s trunk tower installation, featuring white Damier and classic Monogram patterns, with diagonal lighting elements creating dramatic intersections across the space
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The interior design strikes a careful balance between raw and refined. Exposed concrete plays against plush carpeting, while carefully curated vintage furniture pieces from Carlo Mollino and Charlotte Perriand create intimate vignettes throughout the five-storey space.
Works by New York artists Todd Eberle, Chris Martin, and Caio Fonseca further root the space in its local context.
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Above A cosy reading nook within Le Café Louis Vuitton, featuring mid-century inspired furniture in front of the library wall displaying art books including works about Jeff Koons and other contemporary artists who have collaborated with the brand.
Above Detail of Louis Vuitton’s signature luggage tags in metallic finish, arranged in a rhythmic pattern as part of the store’s decorative elements
A cosy reading nook within Le Café Louis Vuitton, featuring mid-century inspired furniture in front of the library wall displaying art books including works about Jeff Koons and other contemporary artists who have collaborated with the brand.
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The store also marks Louis Vuitton’s first foray into American hospitality, with a fourth-floor café and chocolate shop.
But it’s the architectural elements that command attention: a library featuring 600-plus art books selected by curator Ian Luna and a secret jewellery salon accessed through a hidden entrance, suggesting that even in retail, there’s still room for mystery.
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Above Le Café Louis Vuitton, the brand’s first American dining venue, featuring a sophisticated interior with custom lighting, textured ceiling details, and a carefully curated mix of orange, yellow, and neutral-toned furniture
Le Café Louis Vuitton, the brand’s first American dining venue, featuring a sophisticated interior with custom lighting, textured ceiling details, and a carefully curated mix of orange, yellow, and neutral-toned furniture
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In converting this Art Deco-inspired building, Louis Vuitton has created more than a store—it’s a masterclass in how luxury retail spaces can blur the boundaries between commerce and culture.
When the temporary space eventually closes, it will have left an indelible mark on New York’s retail landscape, proving that sometimes the most interesting architectural statements are the ones we know won’t last forever.
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Credits
Photography: Louis Vuitton
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
