In the heart of Manhattan, the Hermès Madison Avenue flagship store offers a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco, free from nostalgia and firmly rooted in modernity. The project, designed by the Paris-based studio RDAI under the direction of Denis Montel and Julia Capp, establishes a balanced dialogue between New York’s urban energy and Parisian elegance, merging three existing buildings into a single immersive experience.
A Hermès flagship store between history and modernity
The main building, located at 706 Madison Avenue and formerly occupied by a bank, is defined by its deep plan and linear geometry. By contrast, 704 Madison Avenue, composed of two former townhouses, features softer forms, inverted arches and a lighter palette.
RDAI enhances the differences between the two volumes, creating a harmonious contrast reflected in the atmosphere of the interiors. This architectural fusion allows visitors to move through different environments, each with its own identity, yet connected by a coherent and fluid narrative.
Interior design between Art Deco and sustainability
The interior design pays homage to the Art Deco influences of New York and Paris through natural materials, precise geometries and an evolving colour palette. Each floor takes on a specific identity, defined by different surfaces, details and material solutions.
In the men’s department, green marquetry straw panels alternate with equestrian details, golden lacquer finishes and craquelé-effect walls in the perfume area. The leather goods salon is characterized by celadon green lacquer, while the VIP lounge introduces a refined recycled leather finish.
Unconventional solutions, such as the mushroom fibre wallcovering in the jewellery department, underline the focus on sustainability and material research, integrating innovation and craftsmanship within the retail project.
A fluid and engaging vertical journey
In a four-storey flagship store, vertical circulation plays a central role. The main monolithic stone staircase, built using a post-tensioned technique, guides visitors through a harmonious journey across the different levels.
The curved balustrades, also made of stone, give the structure visual continuity and lightness. On the fourth floor, the roof was completely rebuilt to accommodate a double-height volume, illuminated by a curved glass skylight overlooking a roof garden.
This intervention introduces a measured relationship between natural light, architecture and landscape, creating a synthesis between nature and contemporary design.
Distinctive atmospheres for the Hermès Madison Avenue flagship store
Each area of the Hermès Madison Avenue flagship store is conceived as a distinctive salon, with its own materials and details. References to the Paris store on Faubourg Saint-Honoré, such as oval glass and brass counters or leather-covered display cases, are reinterpreted within this American setting.
The mosaic floor and wooden coffered ceiling enhance the decorative richness, while the grilles from the former bank vault become aesthetic elements reinterpreted in a contemporary key.
Moving through the spaces, visitors experience the progressive union of the buildings, in a journey of discovery that integrates craftsmanship, innovation and architectural quality.
Location: New York City
Architect: RDAI
Artistic director: Denis Montel
Project interior architect: Sybil Debu, Lola Chauvel, Barbara Stec
Structural engineer for staircase: Bollinger+ Grohmann
Executive architect: Spacesmith
Lighting consultant: Metis
Landscape designer: Miranda Brooks
Photos courtesy: Kevin Scott