It’s no coincidence that just a week after Craig Robins went public with his plans of luring LVMH to the Design District, Louis Vuitton announced it would be closing its Bal Harbour store in exchange for a new home inside Aventura Mall, opening July 1st followed by a more expansive, permanent space in fall 2012.
As stated in a press release distributed by the company’s Miami representatives, Geoffroy Van Raemdonck, President of Louis Vuitton North America insinuates the move was due to the desire for a larger space.
Louis Vuitton has been an established presence in the region for several decades, and we felt it was time we were able to respond to the evolving needs of our customers by offering them a significantly enhanced environment. Our new residence will provide guests with the ultimate Louis Vuitton experience, allowing them to enjoy a richer assortment of our collections and product categories in a magnificent new setting. Louis Vuitton Aventura will enable the Miami community to experience all the innovation, artistry and creative excellence this culturally sophisticated city deserves, and which continue to define the Louis Vuitton Maison after more than 150 years.
But why not a larger space in Miami’s mecca for luxury goods? Among the local industry, it has been said that Bal Harbour was not willing to give LVMH a larger spoton the ground floor. A larger storefront would require the brand to relocate to the second floor like Gucci did a few months back. But who wants that?
Besides, a move into an indoor mall perhaps leaves room in the company’s portfolio for another local outdoor, pedestrian-friendly marketplace. Our fingers are crossed for the Design District.
