The new store is located on top of the main entrance to Liverpool Street underground station, inside the corner concession facing ‘The Fulcrum’, which forms part of the redevelopment area of Broadgate Circle. Spread over two floors, it celebrates Tommy Hilfiger’s core Sportswear Concept, yet has numerous custom-made elements and nuances that follow the uniqueness of the architecture and the importance of its location.
Not only will the new store expand Tommy Hilfiger’s central London portfolio, but it will also deliver a strong retail experience to its customers. With such a strategic position, it will capture the attention of millions of people utilising the London public transport system through Liverpool Street every day.
The two-floor retail space is linked with a new steel staircase, clad with light oak treads and glass balustrades. The main curved double-height window faces ‘the Fulcrum’ of Broadgate. Its transparency and visibility encouraged the development of new architectural and fixture solutions, from the continuous curved bulkhead/parapet and its graphic system, to the new freestanding floor mounted rails, and the need to develop a special lighting strategy on the ceiling to echo the curved shape of the building itself.
rpa:group was appointed Lead Architect for this scheme, having worked alongside Tommy Hilfiger on numerous projects across the globe. Our longstanding experience with the brand enabled us to quickly understand the new store’s requirements and to provide initial sketch designs, through to the detailed design pack, tender drawings and construction drawings – also providing photo realistic visuals to aid the entire process.
On this occasion, rpa:group also acted as Local Architect, managing all communications with local authorities, along with landlord management teams and consultant design team members, including structural engineers, MEP engineers and construction managers.
Developed entirely in Revit, by using BIM technology, our work reflects some of the most advanced techniques of design currently available. All elements involved were calculated to ensure value engineering and to align with the latest sustainability guidelines.
The design phase commenced at the end of October 2019 with initial sketches and proposals, before arriving at the detailed design phase at the end of February 2020. Before completion, the layout underwent further design development due to the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on retail environments. The store successfully opened to welcome customers in early December.
