mr.x
May 27th, 2007, 07:51 PM
http://media.canada.com/8975269b-0529-4353-a446-596d133824d2/SUN0227e%20Holt5a.jpg
Finishing touches are added to Holt Renfrew's new luxury store in downtown Vancouver.
Photograph by: Mark Van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt.jpg
The store's centre is divided by three "rotated ellipses" and lit from above by a glass atrium.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0527e%20Holt6.jpg
A worker shines a display case, days before the May 31 opening.
Photograph by: Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0227e%20Holt9a.jpg
General manager Gary Balaski stands in front of the steel hives that will house the store's
designer denim collection.
Photograph by: Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-1.jpg
Even the escalators are open, perfect points for people watching.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-2.jpg
This 111-piece light installation by Vancouver-based Bocci will provide visitors with a "phenomenological"
experience of sorts, designer Omer Arbel says.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-3.jpg
Shoppers will be able to see out while the city looks in, part of the store's new design.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-4.jpg
New York designer Mark Janson says they worked to make sure light could travel as deep into the store as possible.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-5.jpg
Labels like Christian Dior have their own spaces within the store.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=17bb1b32-b243-4baf-b128-4af761e3d15e&k=15767
New Holt Renfrew store bathed in luxurious light
By Chantal Eustace, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, May 25, 2007
Gary Balaski steps over some newly-laid tiles, his designer suit out of place amongst the drilling and pounding of the surrounding construction site.
He points to the atrium overhead where triangles of light illuminate the new Holt Renfrew department store - due to open on May 31.
"It's wonderful isn't it?" says Balaski, the store's general manager, just weeks before the unveiling. "It's very open, bright and airy."
And it's big. Very, very big. At more than 137,000 square feet, the store - relocated and completely remade - has doubled in size.
"This store is a beautiful structure," says Balaski, listing off what he describes as haute couture elements like imported tile and custom cabinetry. It will also have a concierge service, valet parking and personal shopping rooms, he says.
On the top level, a rooftop restaurant is set to open in September, while the bottom level will house a fully-equipped, 6,000-square-foot spa and salon.
Holt Renfrew needed to grow, he says, since the old store just wasn't big enough to keep up with the Vancouver shopper's demands for luxury items: "People were leaving here to go somewhere else to buy those things that we couldn't supply."
And while all of this new space will be filled with things to buy, it will also be full of things to look at and explore.
From a design perspective, the space is world class, says New York designer Mark Janson, who spent 22 months working on the project.
"It's the project of a lifetime," says Janson. "It's fantastic."
The exterior, located at the corner of Dunsmuir and Granville Streets, boasts 10,000 square feet of Richmond-created, custom-designed glass by Nathan Allan. This convex glass, described as "pillowed," uses geometric patterns for a three-dimensional look - it's more akin to an art installation than a window treatment.
More than 58,000 square feet of Greek marble coats the floors, interspersed with tumbled stone from Indonesia, Italian tile and wood plank or reclaimed timber. A stone mosaic covers much of the ground floor's cosmetics area.
In creating the look and feel of the new store, the design team drew inspiration from around the world, Janson says.
"When we set out to do this project we were thinking about Vancouver, but we were also thinking about Tokyo, Paris and New York," Janson says. "The store is designed to meet or exceed the work done in any of those places."
The store's most unique feature is something intangible, he says, pointing out the use of light as a key design feature. Overhead, the massive glass atrium - familiar to locals who frequented the mall food court that used to inhabit the space - allows natural light to pour through. The effect is diffused by a white grid of triangles. The centre of the store is open, cut away by three "rotated ellipses," something that will help shoppers to see from floor to floor.
"What's very unique for a store this size is that it utilizes all this daylight. We have daylight from the facade and also from the big skylight in the centre," Janson says. "We wanted that light to travel as deep into the interior of the store and into as many spaces as possible."
The store has eight entry points, he notes, all of which needed to be worked into the design. People had to know where they were and had to get around the store easily, he says. The open plan facilitates this, he says: "All of that openness is about ease and comfort and navigation and all of those good things."
Every little detail, from the fabrics on the furniture to tiles or layout came under the designer's scrutiny, says Janson, adding everything had to be just right. Paintings, sculptures and installations of intricate tile and glass can be found throughout the entire store.
"We wanted an inspiring and dramatic space," says Janson. "It's all about being uplifting and optimistic and inspiring."
At the main entrance, a 20-foot by 30-foot light display by Vancouver-based Bocci illuminates shoppers. Light designer Omer Arbel, who launched Bocci just over a year ago, says it took four people about five weeks to create the 111-piece, cast-glass installation. The effect is powerful, he says, describing the individual lights as resembling small candles, encased in spheres of water.
"It's kind of like a phenomenological little moment," Arbel says, describing the first time you see the lights. "You just kind of understand it emotionally. Do you know what I mean?"
Being part of the new Holt's is a big deal for the little company he launched just over a year ago, he says, since it is an opportunity to display Bocci's work in a public space in his hometown.
"Most of our installations occur in Los Angeles, New York and London or Hong Kong," Arbel says. "We're delighted because this is our home turf."
Brand-focused shoppers will find their way around easily, since labels like Ralph Lauren and Gucci have their own spaces within the shop - little hives of their own that face out to the main space. These are differentiated by completely unique and distinct looks, right down to the flooring or colour schemes.
The top floor will have a walkway connecting the store to the Pacific Centre mall. The space is big enough for parties or displays. The women's clothing area, including an expanded area for new designers, is bright and colourful. A beehive of steel will house designer denims.
Unique design elements were key to the new store's look and feel, says Holt Renfrew's president, Caryn Lerner.
"We wanted to create more of a residential feel and less of a department-store type of environment," says Lerner.
It's a new approach to a retail environment, she says, one that she's confident people will respond to well.
"I'm so jazzed. I can't tell you," says Lerner. "It's a huge jump forward for the entire company."
ceustace@png.canwest.com
© Vancouver Sun 2007
Finishing touches are added to Holt Renfrew's new luxury store in downtown Vancouver.
Photograph by: Mark Van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt.jpg
The store's centre is divided by three "rotated ellipses" and lit from above by a glass atrium.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0527e%20Holt6.jpg
A worker shines a display case, days before the May 31 opening.
Photograph by: Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0227e%20Holt9a.jpg
General manager Gary Balaski stands in front of the steel hives that will house the store's
designer denim collection.
Photograph by: Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-1.jpg
Even the escalators are open, perfect points for people watching.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-2.jpg
This 111-piece light installation by Vancouver-based Bocci will provide visitors with a "phenomenological"
experience of sorts, designer Omer Arbel says.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-3.jpg
Shoppers will be able to see out while the city looks in, part of the store's new design.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-4.jpg
New York designer Mark Janson says they worked to make sure light could travel as deep into the store as possible.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://media.canada.com/gallery/Holt%20Renfrew/SUN0524F-Holt-5.jpg
Labels like Christian Dior have their own spaces within the store.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=17bb1b32-b243-4baf-b128-4af761e3d15e&k=15767
New Holt Renfrew store bathed in luxurious light
By Chantal Eustace, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, May 25, 2007
Gary Balaski steps over some newly-laid tiles, his designer suit out of place amongst the drilling and pounding of the surrounding construction site.
He points to the atrium overhead where triangles of light illuminate the new Holt Renfrew department store - due to open on May 31.
"It's wonderful isn't it?" says Balaski, the store's general manager, just weeks before the unveiling. "It's very open, bright and airy."
And it's big. Very, very big. At more than 137,000 square feet, the store - relocated and completely remade - has doubled in size.
"This store is a beautiful structure," says Balaski, listing off what he describes as haute couture elements like imported tile and custom cabinetry. It will also have a concierge service, valet parking and personal shopping rooms, he says.
On the top level, a rooftop restaurant is set to open in September, while the bottom level will house a fully-equipped, 6,000-square-foot spa and salon.
Holt Renfrew needed to grow, he says, since the old store just wasn't big enough to keep up with the Vancouver shopper's demands for luxury items: "People were leaving here to go somewhere else to buy those things that we couldn't supply."
And while all of this new space will be filled with things to buy, it will also be full of things to look at and explore.
From a design perspective, the space is world class, says New York designer Mark Janson, who spent 22 months working on the project.
"It's the project of a lifetime," says Janson. "It's fantastic."
The exterior, located at the corner of Dunsmuir and Granville Streets, boasts 10,000 square feet of Richmond-created, custom-designed glass by Nathan Allan. This convex glass, described as "pillowed," uses geometric patterns for a three-dimensional look - it's more akin to an art installation than a window treatment.
More than 58,000 square feet of Greek marble coats the floors, interspersed with tumbled stone from Indonesia, Italian tile and wood plank or reclaimed timber. A stone mosaic covers much of the ground floor's cosmetics area.
In creating the look and feel of the new store, the design team drew inspiration from around the world, Janson says.
"When we set out to do this project we were thinking about Vancouver, but we were also thinking about Tokyo, Paris and New York," Janson says. "The store is designed to meet or exceed the work done in any of those places."
The store's most unique feature is something intangible, he says, pointing out the use of light as a key design feature. Overhead, the massive glass atrium - familiar to locals who frequented the mall food court that used to inhabit the space - allows natural light to pour through. The effect is diffused by a white grid of triangles. The centre of the store is open, cut away by three "rotated ellipses," something that will help shoppers to see from floor to floor.
"What's very unique for a store this size is that it utilizes all this daylight. We have daylight from the facade and also from the big skylight in the centre," Janson says. "We wanted that light to travel as deep into the interior of the store and into as many spaces as possible."
The store has eight entry points, he notes, all of which needed to be worked into the design. People had to know where they were and had to get around the store easily, he says. The open plan facilitates this, he says: "All of that openness is about ease and comfort and navigation and all of those good things."
Every little detail, from the fabrics on the furniture to tiles or layout came under the designer's scrutiny, says Janson, adding everything had to be just right. Paintings, sculptures and installations of intricate tile and glass can be found throughout the entire store.
"We wanted an inspiring and dramatic space," says Janson. "It's all about being uplifting and optimistic and inspiring."
At the main entrance, a 20-foot by 30-foot light display by Vancouver-based Bocci illuminates shoppers. Light designer Omer Arbel, who launched Bocci just over a year ago, says it took four people about five weeks to create the 111-piece, cast-glass installation. The effect is powerful, he says, describing the individual lights as resembling small candles, encased in spheres of water.
"It's kind of like a phenomenological little moment," Arbel says, describing the first time you see the lights. "You just kind of understand it emotionally. Do you know what I mean?"
Being part of the new Holt's is a big deal for the little company he launched just over a year ago, he says, since it is an opportunity to display Bocci's work in a public space in his hometown.
"Most of our installations occur in Los Angeles, New York and London or Hong Kong," Arbel says. "We're delighted because this is our home turf."
Brand-focused shoppers will find their way around easily, since labels like Ralph Lauren and Gucci have their own spaces within the shop - little hives of their own that face out to the main space. These are differentiated by completely unique and distinct looks, right down to the flooring or colour schemes.
The top floor will have a walkway connecting the store to the Pacific Centre mall. The space is big enough for parties or displays. The women's clothing area, including an expanded area for new designers, is bright and colourful. A beehive of steel will house designer denims.
Unique design elements were key to the new store's look and feel, says Holt Renfrew's president, Caryn Lerner.
"We wanted to create more of a residential feel and less of a department-store type of environment," says Lerner.
It's a new approach to a retail environment, she says, one that she's confident people will respond to well.
"I'm so jazzed. I can't tell you," says Lerner. "It's a huge jump forward for the entire company."
ceustace@png.canwest.com
© Vancouver Sun 2007