21-year-old Chicago Bulgari boutique receives a major makeover

By

Rebecca Taras

Published
Jul 27, 2017

After having a strong retail presence on the prestigious stretch of Michigan Avenue in Chicago for the past 21 years, Bulgari—a 133-year-old Roman luxury jewelry company that is part of the LVMH Group—recently unveiled a stunning renovation of its 2,250 square foot boutique.

The refreshment of the Windy City store comes just three years after the renovation of Bulgari’s historical flagship on Via Condotti in Rome, the brainchild of architect Peter Marino. Along with the Chicago boutique, the company also plans to implement renovations (designed by Marino) at other key boutiques worldwide. “We are pleased to unveil our Peter Marino renovated boutique on Michigan Avenue in a manner that represents the contemporary Bulgari brand while simultaneously paying tribute to our rich, Roman heritage,” said  Daniel Paltridge, President of Bulgari North America, in a company release.

The newly refurbished space pays homage to structures found ancient Rome, complete with design elements such as Italian parquet floors, antique marble and stone detailing (to include the bold entrance adorned with commanding columns) a Murano crystal chandelier, a “VIP” shopping area encompassed by a Pantheon Mesh grid inspired by the floor of the Roman Pantheon.

As retailers of all price points are scrambling for ways to stay relevant amidst murky retail waters, store enhancements and refreshments are becoming increasingly important. Bulgari’s neighbor, a high-end mall that goes by the name of The 900 Shops, has been implementing changes like nature-inspired decor to emulate a park, more dining options and a cutting-edge LED installation to improve shopper experience.

But store aesthetics aren’t the only feather currently placed in Bulgari’s cap. LVMH announced earlier this week that the first half of 2017 has been good for the luxury jewelry brand as it is continuing to gain market share.