In Conversation: Longchamp and Thomas Heatherwick Discuss La Maison Unique – When Visionary Design meets Creative Retail

In 2006, Longchamp boldly reimagined retail architecture by commissioning Thomas Heatherwick to design their SoHo, New York Flagship. Heatherwick’s visionary concept expanded the space with an additional floor featuring a showroom and garden terrace, while creating a dramatic void through the building’s core. This architectural innovation flooded the interior with natural light and intuitively guided visitors upward. “La Maison Unique Longchamp” quickly established itself as a Manhattan landmark, seamlessly merging luxury retail with architectural brilliance.

Nearly two decades later, Longchamp has reunited with Heatherwick to refresh this iconic space. The renovation honors both the original design vision and Longchamp’s creative legacy while contemporizing the environment for today’s clientele. As then-CEO Philippe Cassegrain described it in 2006, the Flagship represents “a unique architectural ensemble to be appreciated as one-of-a-kind”—an aspiration that continues to evolve under the stewardship of Longchamp’s third and fourth generations.

The redesigned Longchamp SoHo boutique responds thoughtfully to the physical character of the space, guiding visitors upward from the street level in a gentle, promenade-like ascent—made inviting by a tailored staircase in vibrant green. The heart of the boutique feels like an inviting living room—warm, spectacular, and designed to make customers linger. The design honors SoHo’s architectural heritage with exposed brick walls that celebrate the neighborhood’s iconic industrial past. Subtle Parisian flair—paying homage to Longchamp’s roots—is introduced through the space.

Join current Longchamp CEO Jean Cassegrain and renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick for an engaging discussion on the SoHo’s rich history, its cultural impact, and their thoughtful approach to modernization in an era already inundated with over-the-top immersive retail experiences. The conversation will explore the value of human curation and the creation of tranquil urban sanctuaries amid city chaos.