Tiffany to top off Fifth Ave. flagship with glass-encased rooftop
One of Manhattan’s landmark stores is getting an eye-catching addition.
Tiffany & Co. said it will “completely reimagine" the the upper three floors of its 80-year-old, 10-story flagship on Fifth Avenue, transforming them from office space into a exhibition, event and clienteling venue surrounded by an expansive glass curtain.
The transformed space will complement the classic limestone façade below and echo the height and grandeur of the flagship’s iconic, 8,400-sq.-ft. main floor with its coffered 24-ft. ceiling. An outdoor terrace will be located on the eight floor.
The reimagined upper space is part of the larger transformation of the Tiffany flagship, which began in spring 2019 and is expected to be completed in spring 2022. (With the flagship closed for construction, the retailer has been operating out of an adjacent building.)
“The Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue flagship is arguably one of the most beloved and well known luxury retail spaces in the world,” said Reed Krakoff, chief artistic officer, Tiffany & Co. “Tiffany’s newly transformed flagship will reflect the future of our brand, while honoring our 183-year legacy.”
Tiffany is embarking on the project in partnership with The Office for Metropolitan Architecture, the firm co-founded by noted Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. OMA New York is engaged on specific aspects of the transformation – including the reimagined upper addition.
“Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship is more than a retail space; it is a destination with a public dimension,” said OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu. “The new addition is informed by programmatic needs of the evolving brand—a gathering place that acts as a contemporary counterpart to the iconic ground level space and its activities.”
The goal of the design of the new upper volume is to create a vertical continuity with the existing structure, while also setting it apart as a bold and innovative addition to the building.
“The corniced parapet of the original building will be mirrored by a slumped glass façade above,” Shigematsu said. “The eye is drawn upward creating a gentle transition between the two structures. This ribbon-like design detail brings a sensuality to the building, instilling a softness among the curtain walls of the building’s neighbors. The recessed glass exhibition and event space will echo the feeling of the main floor with its column free, double height ceilings.”
The Tiffany flagship was a symbol of modern architecture when it was built in 1940. The grandeur and essence of the space will remain, the company said, and continue to awe guests as they enter the renovated store in 2022.
Tiffany operates more than 300 stores worldwide.