Paris-based Printemps makes stunning U.S. store debut in New York City
Call it Wall Street meets Parisian chic.
French luxury department store retailer Printemps has opened its first U.S. outpost in a landmark Art Deco building in Manhattan’s Financial District. Located at One Wall Street and spanning 55,000 sq. ft. over two floors, the opulent “destination” store blurs the lines between retail and hospitality.
Printemps offers a wide range of curated fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle products. Roughly about a quarter of the brands it sells are not easily available elsewhere in the United States. The food and beverage options range from a casual café to a fine dining restaurant to a Champagne bar.
Design
With a playful design by renowned interior architect Laura Gonzalez, the store blends heritage and innovation, pairing Parisian style and romance with New York boldness. Schimenti Construction Company provided the buildout and managed all the interior details, including custom lighting, audiovisual systems, furniture, artwork and high-end finishes.
Printemps New York was imagined as a Parisian apartment reinterpreted through the lens of New York architecture. As opposed to a singular style, the designer opted for layered materials, bold contrasts and richly textured moments. Warm wood parquet meets stone inlays, vintage wallpaper complements sculptural lighting and recycled materials sit alongside artisanal finishes.
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(Image credit: Peter Dressel Photography)
The layout is deliberately non-linear, guiding visitors through ten distinct rooms that differ in mood, scale and light. Ceiling heights rise and fall, colors change, and materials transition.
One of the the most dramatic elements of the store is the landmarked Red Room, a historic Art Deco space which boasts 33-foot ceilings and original mosaics in deep red and gold glass. (It was completed by famed muralist Hildreth Meière in 1931.) Previously a reception room and banking hall for one of the building’s former tenants, the Irving Trust and Bank Company, the room a designed interior landmark.
Because nothing could be attached to the protected surfaces in the reimagined room, 15-foot-tall floral sculptures made from ecological resin were introduced as freestanding elements, transforming the space into a whimsical "shoe forest."
Other highlights of the store are below:
- Playroom: Home to gifts, home goods and streetwear, the space is defined by a vibrant, multicolored marble design.
- Sneaker Room: A futuristic, flexible space with a complete LED ceiling and fiberglass seating, the space is used for footwear drops and also for meditation sessions, artist talks and French classes.
- Beauty "Caterpillar" Corridor: A sleek, minimalist passage in poured concrete and resin, featuring French apothecary staples alongside international beauty brands —many making their U.S. debut.
- Salon Womenswear: Featuring floral frescoes and Versailles-patterned parquet, the space is designed to embody the essence of women's ready-to-wear fashion. It captures the glamour of the rotunda in Printemps' famed flagship on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris in while showcasing sculptural floral displays and utilizing sustainable materials.
Buildout
The Printemps buildout was a 26-month project characterized by close coordination, global sourcing, and precision craftsmanship. Schimenti began pre-construction in December 2022, followed by an early structural phase, with the white box turnover occurring in September 2024. The final installation was completed in February 2025,
To effectively manage long lead times and global logistics, Schimenti implemented early-release packages, closely monitored procurement, and conducted regular coordination calls with vendors. Staged deliveries and field mockups ensured quality and helped minimize rework.
The timeline was tight, particularly with inspections scheduled during New York's peak holiday season. Schimenti coordinated ten agency inspections, including approvals from the FDNY, and successfully secured a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy on the first attempt. Phased sequencing, weekend work, and detailed walkthroughs kept the project on track.
Custom installations required meticulous planning and collaboration among trades. Templating, mockups and a design-assist process allowed Schimenti to work closely with Gonzalez's team to bring the vision to life without delays.
Clear communication was crucial throughout the project. Weekly meetings, shared tools, and milestone walkthroughs ensured that all teams remained aligned, noted Schimenti.
Founded in 1865, the Printemps Group operates 19 department stores in France, and one in Qatar.
