Richard Mille is an eponymous brand of ultra-luxury Swiss watches. Founded in 1999, they are based in Les Breuleux, Switzerland with retail locations in virtually every major city in the world. TPG worked with the high-end retail client to implement their latest store design concept in a new high-profile, flagship location in the United States. The multi-story location at 432 Park Avenue provides ample space to display exclusive, limited models, showcasing Richard Mille’s technical excellence in horology within luxurious surroundings.

TPG’s design team worked closely with Richard Mille’s Paris-based in-house team, who conceptualized the space, and created a modern space that embodied the brand’s intricate craftsmanship and dedication to impeccable engineering. TPG’s retail studio created a sleek and contemporary design that suited the brand’s streamlined aesthetics, providing customers with an immersive shopping experience. The new store features a 30-food-high glass façade, which serves as a clear homage to the extreme technicity and artistry that defines Richard Mille timepieces. The transparent wall is illuminated by 156 feet of LED light fixtures, to create a glowing presence at the foundation of the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere.

A custom elevator sits at the heart of the store, delivering visitors to the mezzanine level. The elevator’s cab and shaft were kept transparent to allow a full view of the machinery at work and the fine details of each part inside—another nod to the engineering of the brand’s high-end products. Encased in curved, three-layer glass panels with brushed metal cladding, the illuminated elevator creates the illusion of a floating capsule. The space additionally includes a mid-floor bar, VIP consultation rooms, displays of the collection’s ladies and automatic timepieces, and a lounge overlooking the busy street.

Photography by Philippe Louzon.