dkstudio was appointed as the Executive Designer for the new 15,000 sq ft Louis Vuitton Maison store in the heart of Toronto’s luxury retail district. The store was designed and developed in collaboration with Peter Marino Architect and Louis Vuitton Paris Malletier. dkstudio was responsible for a wide range of services, including feasibility studies for site selection, early concept design studies, lease negotiations, initial budgeting, the selection and coordination of the team of consultants, execution of the design, and the delivery of the store in its entirety.
The Toronto Maison brings a sense of architectural presence to this previously subdued corner of Bloor Street through a 2 storey glass façade, animated by a 3 dimensional, see through LV motif pattern that engages both patrons and pedestrians. The composite glass facade, a first in North America, offers glimpses into the store and its bold features such as the floating staircase that wraps behind the west wall. Maison highlights include a permanent photo installation in the 2 storey void above the Men’s Bags Bar by Vancouver artist James Nizam, a glass vitrine in the entrance featuring quarterly rotated artwork, separate Men’s and Women’s Universes, and a second floor V.I.P. atelier offering exclusive custom designed handbags.
The new store was opened in August 2012.