2025 East Best Projects
Best Office/Retail/Mixed-Use: Louis Vuitton Flagship, 6 East 57th Street
Louis Vuitton Flagship, 6 East 57th Street
New York
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by Sciame Construction
Owner/Developer: Louis Vuitton / LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc.
Construction Manager: Sciame Construction
Lead Design Firm: LV Design Team in Paris
Architect: TPG Architecture
Structural Engineer: Severud Associates
MEP Engineer: Rosini Engineering PC
Owner’s Representative: Cumming Group
Kitchen Consultant: Jacobs Doland Beer (JDB)
Lighting Designer: L Design Studio
Subcontractors: Affect, Fenix Moveis Especiais, Molteni & C; Air Ideal; AWS Plumbing & Heating; Chelsea Lighting; Commodore Construction; Live Wire Electric; Maspeth Welding; Miller Druck; National Acoustics; Resurrecture; Sirina Fire Protection; Stafford Smith; TriTech Communications
In just under 11 months, the project team transformed a 30-year-old big-box store into a new benchmark for experiential retail via a scope of work that included selective demolition of existing retail interiors, elevator modernization and a comprehensive interior fit-out totaling approximately 80,000 sq ft.
One of the most complex challenges was incorporating a fifth-floor restaurant, bar, chocolate shop and a fully functional commercial kitchen within a 10,000-sq-ft space. To meet the condensed schedule, the team creatively converted 3,200 sq ft of standard space into a high-performance kitchen. Seamless teamwork between trades, vendors and consultants facilitated execution of intricate Italian millwork and installation of a ceiling made of 6,000 custom Louis Vuitton tags delicately screwed into the ceiling panels. After several mock-ups, the team perfected a method of pre-machining holes 6 in. apart, allowing both optimal acoustics and seamless aesthetics. The result is a visually stunning and acoustically tuned environment that captures attention without overwhelming the space.
Photo by Aaron Thompson, courtesy of Sciame Construction
Other distinctive interior features include “trunk towers,” “bag walls” and chrome side voids that showcase imaginative craftsmanship. Each elevator lobby features a curated wall of nearly 100 chrome Louis Vuitton bags set against uniquely wrapped vinyl walls. Even behind-the-scenes design solutions demonstrate innovation. Originally obtrusive temperature sensors were disguised using millwork-matching discs, a small but clever modification that maintained functionality without sacrificing aesthetics.
Photo by Aaron Thompson, courtesy of Sciame Construction
The animated facade at 6 East 57th Street redefines traditional storefront design. Unlike static displays, this bold installation brings motion and energy to Fifth Avenue, attracting visitors with its dynamic presence. One of the most visible and high-stakes efforts was the installation of a 58-ft giraffe and 36-ft ostrich on the storefront, an effort involving complex logistics, critical path timing and coordination with designers, fabricators and rigging crews in order to be completed just weeks before opening.
Photo by Aaron Thompson, courtesy of Sciame Construction
As the deadline approached, the team transitioned to 24/7 operations with rolling shifts and an average daily head count of 150 workers. Through shared commitment, open communication and the contributions of over 50 subcontractors, the makeover was completed on time and at budget and with no injuries or recordable incidents over 133,000 work hours.
