Laura Gonzalez Overhauls the Iconic Space into a Parisian Shopping Experience
March 26, 2025 – Luxury Retail, Printemps New York
In the heart of New York’s Financial District, where sleek skyscrapers dominate the skyline and luxury brands have struggled, Printemps, the historic French department store, is making a statement with its first U.S. flagship. Designed by French designer Laura Gonzalez, Printemps New York introduces a retail experience inspired by French Art Deco and New York’s dynamic energy.
Located within the iconic One Wall Street building, this monumental Art Deco structure dates back to 1931. The store spans two floors, covering 55,000 square feet of space. The building’s architectural legacy takes center stage in the design. Gonzalez carefully preserves historical elements while introducing a contemporary shopping experience.
The former Bank of New York lobby features striking red and gold mosaics by Hildreth Meière. It has been transformed into a “shoe forest.” Footwear now sits amidst towering, freestanding sculptures made from plant-based resin.
The Red Room, once a banking hall, preserves its grand architectural elements, such as the intricate mosaic tiles. Yet, the space has been revitalized with fresh, contemporary design choices. Due to restrictions on attaching anything to the walls, Gonzalez created a freestanding forest of flowers. This vibrant, sustainable sculpture complements the room’s historic beauty.
A Parisian Apartment on Wall Street
Gonzalez’s design takes inspiration from the elegant proportions of a Haussmann-era Parisian apartment, with each “room” serving a different retail purpose:
The Grand Salon: Where Versailles-pattern parquet floors meet hand-painted floral tiles, creating a lush backdrop for “Haute Couture“.
The Boudoir: An intimate space for beauty discoveries, featuring vanity mirrors framed in bronze salvaged from the building’s original elevator doors.
The Library: A cozy nook for handbag browsing, with bookshelves displaying leather goods as literary treasures.
The Dining Room: Soon to house Gregory Gourdet’s Maison Passerelle restaurant, where retail gives way to culinary artistry.
Material Alchemy
Throughout the space, Gonzalez masterfully plays with contrasts that speak to both French and New York sensibilities. The cold elegance of original marble floors finds warmth in plush emerald-green velvet seating. While brutalist concrete columns stand exposed in their raw texture, their industrial roughness beautifully offset by the delicate sparkle of crystal chandeliers. This dialogue between old and new continues with thoughtful material choices, where upcycled elements like compressed recycled plastic tables sit comfortably alongside priceless historic mosaics. These layers honor both the building’s heritage and contemporary sustainable design principles.
In an era when department stores are struggling to redefine themselves, Printemps’ New York debut offers a compelling blueprint. By honoring the building’s history while infusing it with Parisian charm and downtown energy, Gonzalez has created something radical. A grand, yet intimate experience, historic and fresh. As visitors linger over espresso in the café or marvel at shoes displayed like museum pieces in the Red Room, they’re participating in a new kind of retail theater—one where every detail tells a story of two cities and two centuries in conversation.
⏰ Visitor Essentials
📅 Opens: April 8, 2025
🕙 Hours: 10 AM-8 PM (Sun close 7 PM)
🚇 Nearest Subway: 4/5 (Wall St) or R/W (Rector St)
♿ Accessibility: Elevators at Broadway entrance
Pro Tip: Start at the Red Room, work upstairs, then descend via the sculptural staircase for full narrative flow.
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