Independent American running brand Tracksmith have opened London Trackhouse - their first flagship store in the UK designed by London architects Andy Matthews Studio.
Situated at 25 Chiltern Street, Marylebone the shop was first used as a pop-up venue by Tracksmith in Autumn 2022. Work began on site in December 2022 and was completed in just four months in time for the London Marathon.
Working collaboratively with Tracksmith, Andy Matthews Studio's approach was to blend the practical elements needed for a lively retail space with their signature collegiate-focused brand.
The result is a warm palette of materials including walnut, brass, oak and terrazzo as well as elements unique to the London store such as an abstracted running track across the ground floor that helps guide and invites customers to venture downstairs.
The language of the furniture and materials was driven by the understanding of the brand and its presentation through imagery and film as well as references such as gyms, lockers and collegiate-type environments. The tones and textures in the materials were carefully chosen to enhance the presentation of the brand - walnut and brass are rich and welcoming but also materials that will age well and take on a patina of wear and tear that is welcome rather than fought.
The furniture design was designed to have a consistent feel around the store with vertical gym bar elements unifying them whilst taking on various requirements and functions in the space. Other materials such as terrazzo are used for the counters for instance.
The client had a key requirement for Andy Matthews Studio: to design a bespoke shelving and display system that can be adapted to suit the changing needs of retail displays throughout the year. The designs for the shelves are modular and adaptable, and based on a similar frame idea to the main cabinetry.
Decked in navy blue frontage the store confidently stands amongst several prestigious spaces in the areas such as neighbouring Monocle and all within the Portman Estate Chiltern Street Conservation Area.
Andy Matthews Studio Director Andy Matthews, who researched how staff and customers used existing stores to inform their work said: "Collaboration is everything to us and it's been so rewarding working successfully with Tracksmith on their London Trackhouse. They're a brand with an avid following so getting the spatial quality, warmth and feel right for this new flagship store was a must. To see how the store is being used by staff and customers alike is fantastic and the long-lasting designs allow for adaptation into the future as they develop their retail offer."
Matt Taylor, CEO and Founder of Tracksmith “Andy Matthews Studio were an invaluable partner for our global retail expansion. Their expertise, attention to craft and detail, and collaboration with other stakeholders in the process were all critical. Yet what our team appreciated most was their commitment to the full vision of the Trackhouse from the consumer's experience. Andy Matthews worked one of our marathon pop-ups in New York City - no easy task - to understand the requirements of our space during specific moments for the brand. We couldn't be happier with our new home on Chiltern Street. “
Team:
Architect: Andy Matthews Studio (Stephen Jolly, Caitríona Nolan, Andy Matthews)
Client: Tracksmith
Structural engineer: Furness Partnership
M&E consultant: Clearwater
QS: MESH
Bespoke furniture: MILK
Sign writing: Delicious Signs
Commercial Agent: Craig White & Company
Acoustic consultant: PC Environmental
Principal designer: DWH Consulting
Approved building inspector: London Building Control
Main contractor: Copperstone Projects
Photography: Andy Matthews, Daniel Hewitt, Jerry Sun
