photo © Le Printemps Haussman

The redesigning of Le Printemps by Yabu Pushelberg
text by Brian Leavy* for Yatzer

As part of their new “Luxe et Accessoires” incentive, Le Printemps, on Paris’ Boulevard Haussman has dedicated 6.000m² over three floors in the department store to the best in luxury goods. In the run up to the exciting redevelopment, we have been given a sneak peak, revealing the first stages of the project.

Yesterday, Le Printemps revealed the first stage of their “Luxe et Accessoires” project – the ground floor, central lift shaft and new escalators. All the labels represented on the ground floor form part of the general atmosphere of the level, while still keeping something of their individual identities. “Luxe et Accessoires” is undoubtedly the bridge between the history of the Printemps department store, and its new identity.

George Yabu (left)  & Glenn Pushelberg (right)
photo © Le Printemps Haussman

The project, conceived and directed by architectural firm, Yabu Pushelberg, is centered around the opening up of the spacious lift shaft, the symbolic passageway between the heritage of Le Printemps (consisting of a hallway beneath the dome) and its new structure. A grand space right at the heart of the store, this spectacular nave, measuring 15m high, creates a dynamic vertical space, and successfully brings the three levels together. A series of escalators will add structure to the space, while still respecting the open-plan design.

photo © Yabu Pushelberg

photo © Yabu Pushelberg

photo © Yabu Pushelberg

On entering the Charras rotunda, shoppers will find an aerial mobile of white flowers – the work of artist, Pascale Girardin, and inspired by the motifs on the mosaics and the dome of the store. The rotunda is also the point of descent into the heart of the new space, with an escalator projecting over a monumental piece of artwork by Swada Hirotoshi (image below).

The real heart of the store, however, is the central gallery. This space offers an incredible view across the entire store, and will be used for special events.

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

“Luxe et Accessoires” : 18 outstanding rooms.

Conceived as an elegant Parisian apartment, the ground floor also features a series of 18 rooms, each individually distinctive, but which all come together under one, central architectural style. Aside from a monochromatic colour scheme, every room has its own theme, based on the luxury items on sale within. With a nod to exclusivity, the watches, jewellery, sunglasses, sculptures, photographs and paintings exhibited in each of the rooms are all unique, custom-made pieces.

Discover the re-designed interiors through the photographs that follow:

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

The famous "Barcelona Chairs" by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
and the beloved "Duck Feet Lamp" of Porta Romana
© Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

From Shibuya to Las Vegas, and Toronto to New York, architects George Yabu and Glenn Puchelberg have seen through numerous projects : Lane Crawford, Bergdorf Goodman, and Tiffany’s feature impressively in their vast portfolio. For Le Printemps, they have taken a contemporary approach to French (and particularly Parisian) architectural tradition. Supported by the store’s immense patrimony, they have updated the historical elements of the space, presenting a visual and tactile representation of French elegance, while concurrently reinforcing the building’s eminence. In this unique marriage of cultural references and the incarnation of a contemporary French image, the new “Luxe et Accessoires” space has a timeless charm.

and something to remember...since 1865!
Photographs that show the evolution of the architecture of Le Printemps since its inception, May 11, 1865.

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

photo © Le Printemps Haussman

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photo © Costas Voyatzis, Yatzer.com  // during the VCP bloogers trip in 2008

*special Thanks to Brian Leavy from Materialiste, the famous French on-line magazine, for contributing this article for Yatzer