Starbucks opens Tinseltown-inspired store at Universal Studios’ new retail venue

Starbucks has set up shop at Universal Boulevard, a new main street-styled retail destination at Universal Studios Hollywood, in Universal City, California.



The new, 5,000-sq.-ft. store is inspired by the history of Hollywood’s movies and culture.



“We wanted to provide a sense of entertainment,” said Starbucks designer Erich Mele.



The façade is broken up into multiple buildings, as if it had originally been the site of several small shops. On the interior, it is one grand space. A banquette made of reclaimed black walnut wood curves like a siren’s tale, creating eddies that can be a comfortable place to sit.



“The design allows us to serve large groups of people while still providing areas of intimacy so you can relax and take in the atmosphere,” said Mele.



Art installations from MeleCustom weave in a sense of theater. The focal point is a mural that has the look of an old-time film projector and depicts a coffee roasting machine against the skyline of Los Angeles.



Backlit glass above the bar gives the illusion of exterior factory windows looking out to the setting sun. At the end of the bar is a three-dimensional map of the world that illustrates where coffee is grown.