Yatofu Creatives Reinvents Cycling Retail with AITASHOP’s Beijing Flagship

Words by Yatzer

Beijing, China

In the age of one-click checkouts and same-day delivery, the role of physical retail has shifted. No longer is it enough to simply display and sell; brick and mortar spaces must now offer a set of experiences, atmospheres, and communities that no algorithm can replicate. The most compelling stores today act as cultural venues as much as commercial ones, blending product with narrative, and service with ritual. AITASHOP’s new flagship in Beijing, a cycling store that unites retail, repair and coffee, is a case in point: designed by Yatofu Creatives, the 1,000-square-metre space feels more like a civic stage for contemporary urban life than a conventional shop.

A captivating blend of industrial decay and natural reclamation, this image captures a rust-patinated wall, dramatically covered in lush, sprawling ivy. A single, illuminated glass doorway pierces the verdant facade, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the minimalist interior, where a bicycle is subtly visible, highlighting the biophilic design integration.

Photography by WenStudio.

The exterior showcases a brutalist influence with its stark concrete overhangs and prominent white pillars, softened by cascading green ivy that embraces the industrial pipes and oxidized metal structures. The large glass entrance invites light into the space, subtly revealing bicycles within, amidst a raw, industrial park landscape.

Photography by WenStudio.

The building stands as a testament to adaptive reuse, its brutalist architecture with wide concrete eaves softened by extensive ivy growth cascading down the raw, industrial facade. Adjacent to oversized, weathered pipes and an imposing orange gantry crane, the structure seamlessly integrates into a post-industrial landscape, embodying a unique neo-vernacular aesthetic.

Photography by WenStudio.

Set within 751 D·PARK, a former chemical plant turned cultural hub, the flagship makes its industrial past part of the customer’s journey. Yatofu’s concept sets weathered relics against sleek new insertions, a dialogue that echoes the dual nature of cycling itself, blending utility and lifestyle, and grit and aspiration, forging a space that transcends retail, to position itself as a cultural anchor for Beijing’s cycling community.

The interior unfolds across two zones: the Garage and the Experience Hub. Entered from a sunken triangular forecourt, the Garage places the workshop centre stage. Rather than hiding the store’s maintenance facilty away, Yatofu haven’t just made it visible but participatory. Cyclists roll directly inside, chat with mechanics, and linger over coffee, courtesy of an in-house café, all while repairs take place. What is usually back-of-house becomes a social arena, a place where riders and residents gather as much for conversation as for service.

An intriguing transition space reveals a multi-level seating area composed of minimalist, light grey concrete steps, leading down to a ribbed floor texture. Through expansive glass, an industrial outdoor setting is visible, with a person on a bicycle, showcasing the seamless blend of interior design with the external environment, and demonstrating biophilic principles.

Photography by WenStudio.

An expansive and brightly lit interior blends industrial robustness with a clean, contemporary feel. Exposed steel beams and a corrugated ceiling define the upper space, while polished concrete floors with geometric inlays lead to a striking stepped seating area. Beyond, a cafe counter and an open retail area with wire mesh displays suggest a multi-functional design.

Photography by WenStudio.

An expansive view of AITASHOP illustrates its multi-functional design, blending retail with communal spaces. Wire mesh display units for bike accessories integrate with a minimalist, stepped seating area, leading to a bright cafe zone with light wooden stools. The interplay of concrete, exposed brick, and terracotta tiles creates a layered, industrial-chic aesthetic, enhanced by generous natural light.

Photography by WenStudio.

Yatofu Creatives Reinvents Cycling Retail with AITASHOP’s Beijing Flagship

A pristine and functional cafe area features a long, light grey counter with integrated sinks and modern appliances, all neatly arranged on open shelving. Rustic wooden stools provide seating, contrasting with the polished terrazzo floor and exposed brick wall. Large windows flood the space with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Photography by WenStudio.

A dynamic retail display within AITASHOP features a large, light grey wire mesh structure serving as modular shelving for accessories and bicycle components. A low wooden bench element integrates into the mesh, offering seating or display space. The blend of raw concrete columns, exposed brick, and a patterned terracotta floor creates a rich, industrial-meets-minimalist aesthetic.

Photography by WenStudio.

  • The interior showcases a harmonious blend of industrial and contemporary design. Expansive wire mesh structures serve as versatile display units, some topped with light wooden surfaces for retail. In the background, a transparent workshop area allows a glimpse into bicycle maintenance, highlighting the functional transparency of the space, all under linear overhead lighting.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • A dynamic display area within AITASHOP features a multi-tiered platform constructed from light wood and industrial wire mesh, showcasing high-performance bicycles. The airy, modular design extends overhead with a suspended mesh ceiling, creating a sense of lightness and openness, while a tiled floor in warm terracotta tones adds a contrasting texture.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • An expansive retail area is defined by a grid of light grey wire mesh that forms both display shelves and an overhead canopy, creating an immersive, lightweight structure. Low white benches provide seating, while the polished terrazzo floor offers a smooth counterpoint to the industrial mesh, all under uniform linear lighting.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • A dynamic display within AITASHOP features an immersive grid of light grey wire mesh that forms both walls and ceiling, creating a sense of transparency and lightness. Bicycles are suspended and presented within these modular structures, while a warm terracotta-tiled floor provides a grounding contrast to the industrial materials, with bright, linear lighting overhead.

    Photography by WenStudio.

A meticulously designed bicycle workshop within AITASHOP is enclosed by transparent glass and perforated metal panels, allowing visitors to observe the craft. A long, dark grey storage unit acts as a counter in the foreground, while a technician works on a bike, highlighting the shop's commitment to both display and service in a clean, industrial-minimalist setting.

Photography by WenStudio.

The transparent bicycle workshop allows full visibility into the mechanics' work, enclosed by clear glass and a lower band of perforated metal. Two technicians are engaged in bike assembly and maintenance, underscoring the brand's dedication to service and craftsmanship within a highly functional and minimalist industrial setting, under bright, organized lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

The entrance to AITASHOP is defined by a grand, minimalist staircase of light grey terrazzo, flanked by a parallel ramp with subtle linear grooves, and a striking balustrade of vertical white cylindrical posts. Beyond, a bold black metal grid structure forms the core retail area, showcasing bicycles against a backdrop of varied textures and modern lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

An expansive industrial-chic interior at AITASHOP, designed by Yatofu Creatives, features colossal rusted steel cylinders contrasting with a polished concrete floor. Overhead, a grid of suspended metal mesh creates an airy display system for bicycles, while light wood elements introduce warmth to the robust material palette, all illuminated by linear fluorescent lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

Deeper inside, the atmosphere shifts. Ten monumental desulfurisation tanks from the site’s factory days rise like sculptural relics, their rusted skins left intact. Rather than standing as empty shells, several have been transformed into display chambers where bicycles are presented like artefacts in a gallery. Around them, additional models, accessories and apparel are displayed within modular displays of galvanized mesh and birch wood. The effect is striking juxtaposing industrial heft against engineered lightness.

A dramatic perspective highlights the majestic, curved walls of patinated steel, featuring subtle integrated lighting along their horizontal bands, emphasizing their monumental presence. These industrial forms are juxtaposed with a sleek, minimalist grey plinth and a finely perforated metal screen, creating a compelling dialogue between raw and refined textures.

Photography by WenStudio.

A captivating portal through a massive, patinated steel wall reveals a minimalist display area. A pristine white bicycle stands on a circular, raised platform of warm terracotta tiles, dramatically lit by an overhead oculus, creating a shrine-like presentation against a backdrop of shimmering perforated metal, showcasing the bike as a work of art.

Photography by WenStudio.

A focused, circular display acts as a modern shrine for a bicycle, dramatically lit from an overhead oculus. The surrounding walls are clad in polished, perforated metal, reflecting the light and providing a textured backdrop for hanging bicycle frames in vibrant colors, all set against a warm, radially-patterned terracotta tile floor.

Photography by WenStudio.

A striking circular pattern of terracotta tiles on a light concrete floor creates a visually dynamic pathway within AITASHOP, leading towards a perforated grey wall. In the foreground, a curved display structure clad in terracotta tiles with a white circular top suggests a dedicated presentation area, blending natural textures with modern lines.

Photography by WenStudio.

A close-up view reveals the intricate details and textures within AITASHOP, featuring a wall of light grey perforated metal that serves as a display surface with a minimalist shelf. Two umbrellas with vibrant yellow handles hang from a bar, introducing a pop of color against the neutral, industrial palette. The circular terracotta-tiled floor creates a soft, inviting pattern.

Photography by WenStudio.

  • This image captures the captivating interplay of textures at AITASHOP, highlighting a monumental, curved wall of heavily patinated steel, subtly illuminated from behind to emphasize its layered, industrial character. A sleek black metal grid structure in the foreground frames the composition, contrasting with a smooth, light terrazzo floor that reflects the ambient light, leading to large, dark doors.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • A unique entryway is carved into a massive, curved wall of patinated steel, revealing a warm, inviting interior. Wooden flooring and terracotta-toned curtains create a softer, private atmosphere, contrasting with the raw industrial exterior. A minimalist concrete bench offers a moment of repose in this transition zone.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • This close-up captures a sculptural light grey terrazzo counter with undulating forms, dramatically lit by a vertical linear light fixture, reflecting the industrial ceiling structure. Beyond, a dark, patinated steel sliding door hints at the building's robust exterior, creating a rich contrast between the raw, textured elements and the sleek, refined interior surfaces.

    Photography by WenStudio.

  • A sophisticated, hidden washroom is revealed behind two massive, curved patinated steel sliding doors, mirroring the building's exterior. Inside, a sculptural, light grey terrazzo vanity with an integrated sink stands prominently, under dramatic rectangular linear lighting that reflects off the dark, moody walls, creating an intimate and refined space.

    Photography by WenStudio.

Materiality amplifies this tension. Rugged concrete columns and polished terrazzo floors are paired with stainless steel and perforated metal shelving units, softened by clay brick insets, recycled wool felt, and timber detailing. Seating by Artek and bespoke bar stools by Yatofu Creatives introduce an element of domestic comfort, encouraging visitors to stay rather than pass through. The result is a space that shifts seamlessly between browsing, servicing, socialising, and event hosting, reflecting the multiplicity of today’s growing cycling culture.

What Yatofu and AITASHOP have created is less a store than an infrastructure for a community which  views cycling as more than a mere mode of travel, or a passing trend, but a paradigm shift in how we are choosing to travel where maintenance becomes ritual, history becomes scenography, and hospitality becomes part of the ride. In an era where everything can be ordered online, such spaces offer what cannot be shipped: belonging.

The industrial interior seamlessly blends retail and architectural elements. Towering, curved walls of oxidized steel create a dramatic backdrop, lit from within, contrasting with a lighter retail area defined by a grid of dark metal framing. Garments are displayed on sleek, silver-toned minimalist counters, all beneath an exposed ceiling of white beams and linear lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

A wide-angle interior view of AITASHOP showcases the extensive, linear retail layout defined by a commanding grid of black metal framework that delineates display areas for apparel on sleek, stainless steel counters. The subtle shift from polished concrete to terracotta-tiled flooring visually guides visitors through the sophisticated, industrial-inspired space, illuminated by overhead linear lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

This interior view highlights the geometric precision of the dark metal grid framework that structures the retail space, creating distinct zones for bicycles and apparel. The warm, rectangular terracotta tiles on the floor provide a welcoming contrast to the industrial materials, emphasizing the store's modern and functional aesthetic under bright, overhead lighting.

Photography by WenStudio.

A vast and coherent retail space showcases a blend of industrial and minimalist design. Sleek, low-profile wire mesh platforms display bicycles and gear, while a grid of black metal framing defines areas for apparel. The polished concrete floor with terracotta tile inlays contrasts with the exposed white ceiling infrastructure, creating a contemporary, functional aesthetic.

Photography by WenStudio.

The interior offers a vast, uncluttered retail experience, emphasizing modular design with its ubiquitous wire mesh shelving and ceiling structures that elegantly display bicycles. A geometric pattern of terracotta-colored tiles delineates a central pathway, providing a warm textural contrast to the cool industrial materials and the polished concrete floor.

Photography by WenStudio.

A sturdy brick building, part of the complex, is partially enveloped by vibrant green and reddish-brown foliage, blending industrial heritage with biophilic elements. A broad, dark awning extends over a large window, which opens outward, revealing a functional interior space with shelves and a sink, suggesting a potential cafe or workshop area.

Photography by WenStudio.

A close-up of the entrance highlights the dramatic scale of repurposed industrial elements, including colossal rusted valves and pipes, juxtaposed against the building's sleek, modern glass facade. The interplay of the raw, textured metal and the smooth, transparent glass, alongside the creeping ivy, embodies a compelling industrial-biophilic design.

Photography by WenStudio.