With a new location perfectly situated between the new Whitney Museum and the Standard Hotel in New York City’s fashionable Meatpacking District, the founders of Caudalie knew they had a location that demanded something more than the typical retail shop. For this special location facing the Highline, Caudalie once again selected Mapos to design their new space. Our ambitious strategy was to devise a design-forward space that is more than just a store. Through creative programming, we merged the idea of a boutique, a spa and treatment center, and a café and wine bar concept into an ultra-compact example of the future of retail experience, where luxury retail and hospitality merge into a cohesive, brand-driven experience.
Behind the landmarked monumental glass façade, Mapos conceived of an intimate retail experience in the front of the space. As part of this, a small seating lounge was created facing the street where shoppers can relax with friends and enjoy wine, books and magazines as they take turns getting mini-facials. Above the custom designed sofa of the lounge is a wall that tells the story of the brand through imagery. A Mapos-designed browsing table in the center of the shop is visually anchored by the brand’s custom grapevine chandelier above, the first of its kind in the United States. Behind this table, a unique Carrara marble consultation surface was created with built-in sink and beauty accessories. Spanning between this marble surface and the ceiling is a vertical metal framework holding vine planters, creating a visual screen between the retail shop and the hidden wine bar beyond.
For the wine bar space, Mapos reinterpreted the traditional trellis of the winery and spa in Bordeaux by wrapping the entire space in white oak trellis slats. With LED lighting glowing behind the slats, this pocket wine bar in the back becomes a warm and inviting spot to have a glass of wine or cup of coffee with a few friends. The bar will be serving wine from the venerated Smith Haute Lafitte winery in Bordeaux, the birthplace of the Caudalie brand and location of their first spa. Open to the public, the wine bar space is small and a bit hidden by design, intended to be a valued secret for those in know. This welcome retreat from the regular bombast of the Meatpacking scene will also serve as a cool down space for Spa guests after their treatments in the back spa area.
The bar design is backed by a custom glass and metal shelf system designed by Mapos, floating in front of a monumental mirror reflecting the activity of the shop space and street beyond. Tucked within the wine bar space is also banquette table seating for groups of 2, 4, or 6. During the summer months, the wine bar experience will extend to the street in the form of sidewalk café tables, adding a Parisian touch that New Yorkers and tourists alike are sure to appreciate.
The intent of this new place sends a clear message: The future of bricks and mortar retail must evolve to be as much about a unique experience as it is about buying products, which we all know can now be done online. One could argue that Experience was a fundamental element that we temporarily lost during the “big box” obsession of the last century. With the opening of its new location in the Meatpacking District, Caudalie has expressed their commitment to bringing a true Experience back to bricks and mortar retail.
