All good things come to those who wait. And those in New York eager to get inside Louis Vuitton’s Midtown Manhattan flagship as it undergoes a multiyear makeover have been well and truly rewarded. While Louis Vuitton’s original Fifth Avenue store is wrapped up in LV monogrammed scaffolding styled like its iconic trunks, the French fashion house has unveiled a “temporary” location just a stone’s throw away. And by temporary, we mean a 36,000-sq-ft extravaganza designed to keep Billionaire’s Row buzzing.
Now this is no run-of-the-mill pop-up. This five-story wonderland is already the largest Louis Vuitton retail location in the US, and offers a lot more than just retail therapy: there’s the American debut of a Louis Vuitton café, a luxurious chocolatier, and an exclusive capsule collection of keepsakes.
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Outside, the flagship’s holiday facade sets the tone with a whimsical display featuring a towering stork and giraffe, framed by carnival lights and cascading Monogram flowers. It’s pure Vuitton theater, ensuring this “temporary” home is anything but forgettable.
Step inside, and the theatrics continue with four monumental towers of Louis Vuitton’s iconic Courrier Lozine 90 trunks stacked an impressive 52.5 ft high. Created by Shohei Shigematsu of OMA architecture firm, the trunk towers twist and turn like New York skyscrapers in a fashion fever dream, each clad in classic Monogram canvas, metallic hues or the house’s iconic Damier patterns. Moving further inside the store, another installation of a 59-ft tall mirrored wall of LV bags climbs through the atrium, reflecting your awe (and maybe your outfit).
Interiors are, of course, a masterclass in high-end cool: think exposed concrete paired with plush carpets, mid-century furniture rubbing elbows with collectible contemporary pieces, and art by New York legends like Stephen Sprouse and Jeff Koons scattered throughout. Even the furnishings from the old Fifth Avenue store make cameo appearances, reimagined in Louis Vuitton’s quest for circular creativity.
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And then, there’s the fourth floor – a foodie’s paradise disguised as a luxury café. At Le Café Louis Vuitton – Louis Vuitton’s first culinary location in the States – French culinary stars Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric have joined forces with local talents Christophe Bellanca and Marie George to redefine snacking. Lobster ravioli embossed with the LV flower? Check. Croque sandwiches so good they caused a stir in Paris? Double check. They’ve even LV-ified the humble burger, proving no dish is too casual for a luxury makeover.
Sweet tooth? You’re covered. Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton has also made its way over the Atlantic to the new New York flagship. There are signature bars, hazelnut bonbons, and even the Vivienne-on-a-Malle – a chocolate music box where the Maison’s mascot pirouettes atop a miniature trunk. Yes, it’s as extra as it sounds, and yes, you deserve it.
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Looking for somewhere to unwind after all that indulgence? The library, curated by author Ian Luna, is stocked with over 600 books, celebrating everything from art and architecture to New York’s vibrant culture.
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And, of course, there’s the fashion. To mark the occasion, Louis Vuitton has dropped a capsule collection that channels the energy of NYC. Think the Neverfull Inside Out in taxi yellow, a Capucines bag adorned with skyscraper motifs, and a shimmering gold GO14 bag that’s destined for a red carpet moment. There’s even a mini Vivienne figurine dressed in her New York finest, ready to claim her spot as the city’s chicest souvenir.
It might be “temporary,” but Louis Vuitton’s 57th Street space is anything but fleeting.
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