News On September 30th 2008, Bulgari has celebrated the opening of its new Paris flagship store. Located at the corner of Rue François 1er and Avenue George V, it's the largest Bulgari store in Europe with 1,500 square meters of retail space on two levels.
Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer of the Bulgari Group, thus commented: "I am very proud of this magnificent new store, which further consolidates the Bulgari brand's presence and visibility in Paris, which has always been a key market for luxury goods and a city where we are returning to invest with great determination after opening our three stores on Place Vendôme and Avenue Montaigne. We spent three years searching for this prestigious location, and the final result perfectly represents the high quality and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Bulgari style. This location simultaneously offers the jewellery, watch, and accessory collections the right profile in an exceptional space and a luxury shopping experience to our customers."
Inspired by the volumes and architecture of ancient palaces, the new Bulgari store uses all of the brand codes, reinterpreted with great finesse by the company’s in-house architectural team. It embodies a new architectural concept, the "twin store," with two separate entrances for two worlds which subtly mingle inside through the clever arrangement of materials and soft colours.
The outside "rotunda" façade features a sophisticated contemporary design, spaced by diamond-shaped columns in gris pulpis marble. Facing Rue François 1er, shoppers will find a complete assortment of jewellery and watches. On the Avenue George V side, glass display cases will showcase the latest Bulgari accessories collections for men and women. An entrance in the centre of the "rotunda" provides a link between the two spaces. Tall petal-shaped ivory columns treated with encaustic soar up towards the next level, illuminated by the light of a large chandelier specially made by master Italian glassmakers. The chandelier cascades downward from the transparent glass dome over the "rotunda".
A wide copper staircase is concealed behind all this transparency and light. Its suspended ramps and glass side panels provide the staircase a floating appearance. With its luminous risers - a hallmark of the new architectural concept for Bulgari stores - it leads visitors towards the suspended display cases containing fine jewels from the High Jewellery collection.
The overall store design is alternated by panels of stone and oak treated with encaustic, jewellery display cases and large panels of silk stretching from floor to ceiling. Soft, warm colours mingle naturally such as bleached oak and rich, glossy brown oak, Trani marble and encaustic finishes. The six-meter-high space in the accessories area is enclosed by a steel-mesh display balustrade. A light-coloured, diamond-shaped wall, treated with encaustic and decorated with Trani marble, connects the accessories and jewellery areas.
This architectural achievement has been realised by 250 craftsmen and workers from 35 companies. Altogether, they have removed more than 550 tons of rubble, all of it recycled according to the environmental practises, and installed nearly 50 kilometres of cables. The floor is fitted with 65 tons of fine marble.
October 27, 2008
