Demolition preparations are underway for a redesigned Louis Vuitton flagship store and office building at 1 East 57th Street in Midtown, Manhattan. Developed by parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which recently completed a similar renovation and expansion of the Tiffany & Co. flagship across 57th Street at 720 Fifth Avenue, the project could potentially increase the scope of Louis Vuitton’s 20-story structure to more than double its current size, from 91,060 to 230,000 square feet. The property is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 57th Street along Billionaires’ Row.
Recent photos show the structure completely covered in scaffolding and construction netting adorned with the fashion brand’s iconic pattern. Demolition permits were filed with the Department of Buildings on June 7, and the razing is expected to cost around $13 million.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The store is still open for business with the window displays visible at ground level.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The demolition work will also extend to the Hublot flagship store abutting the parcel at 743 Fifth Avenue, which is expected to be included in the new building’s footprint. The slender structure features a distinctive façade of black powder-coated aluminum panels and interiors designed by Peter Marino Architect, who also led the interior redesign of the revamped Tiffany & Co. store.
Photo by Michael Young
LVMH began the process of interviewing high-profile “starchitects” in the spring of 2023 in what it dubbed a “beauty contest” for a designer, but has yet to announce the winning team. The corner site does not have a height limit and could be developed as-of-right to at least 122,700 square feet, and perhaps nearly twice as much.
LVMH also has the ability to obtain air rights from other nearby properties such as 5 East 57th Street, which is currently home to the flagship retail space for Yves Saint Laurent, and also reportedly signed a seven-year lease to occupy 6 East 57th Street. This space served as a temporary home for Tiffany & Co. during its overhaul and is currently being gutted and internally redesigned for Louis Vuitton.
Timetables for demolition and construction at 1 East 57th Street have not been revealed.
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That guy has got a serious case of pigeon toes.
Nevertheless, he is well turned out.
That guy is seriously good-looking.
Do multiple logos on scaffolding screening constitute a sign?
Seems like they could build a high fashion skyscraper with the air rights the company owns. Imagine the possibilities. lol!
I never understood the “modernization” of the old building by covering the lower portion with translucent glass.
1 East 57th Street..quite the address, hopefully the ‘redesign’ will live up to it.
Perfect….a new location for a ‘Looty Vuitton’!!……great for the young democratic in NYC!
What?
I wonder what NYC would look like without almost every other building covered in scaffolding?
For example, half of The Sherry-Netherland Hotel in the background is “hiding”.
I was very fortunate to have seen and visited The Plaza on my first trip when the entire hotel was visible!
I think there should be more scaffolding.
I think there should be even more scaffolding than this guy thinks there should be.
Even demolition it has also created a unique identity to be seen: Thanks to Michael Young.