H&M x World Trade Center
And the wait is over! After more than two years, the first LEED-certified H&M flagship at World Trade Center celebrated its grand opening with special guest, actress/model Cara Delevingne. At approximately 25,000 SF, the store is the twelfth location in Manhattan and features a wide range of merchandise spanning the two-floor flagship. Browse photos of the space above to see how we successfully translated H&M’s brand DNA into a memorable flagship location, while navigating the unique constraints of the site. KPA was retained as Executive Architect for this project, along with three other retail store projects at the Oculus.
H&M x Hudson Yards
The fun doesn’t stop here, however! Daniel Kulle, President of North America, recently revealed to WWD the projected 2018 opening of the retailer’s 2-story, 34,000 SF flagship at Hudson Yards, a mixed-use development on Manhattan’s West Side that’s poised to transform the surrounding area. As Kulle has said, Hudson Yards is “a great pocket that hasn’t been available before,” and going forward, further expansion in Manhattan will depend on the type and variety of future opportunities. In honor of the new digs, the flagship will feature the ‘newest thinking from Sweden.'” What does that mean exactly? As Executive Architect for this project, we’ll have to stay mum on the details, but we can reveal the design elements that’s already been shared with WWD. Let’s just say there will be a focus on exclusive materials and finishes, with an emphasis on large-format LED screens, a playful use of mannequins and plenty of stone and mirror-polished stainless steel.
H&M will be one among many retailers who have signed on for Related Properties’ newest and boldest development. As an established player in the retail architecture scene, we have a few concurrent projects in the development. We’ll be sure to share more news as Hudson Yards moves forward.