Design Clarity was approached by a luxury wine boutique to develop an exceptional design concept for their first UK ultimate ‘wine boutique’. Situated in a key location in Mayfair, this ambitious scheme aims to combine two existing two-level units to create a unique ‘wine retail experience’ in the West End of London.
Wine lovers, collectors and the merely inquisitive will be able to experience over 500sqm of wine, gathered from the some of the world’s greatest collections and vineyards, with expert help at hand to assist with decision making. Bottles range in price from £20 up to £50,000 for verticals, with an extensive vertical collection of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
At the street front, full height frameless glass panels wrap this corner site. Pavement lights are replaced with structural pavement glazing blocks, allowing the ‘cellar vaults’ and the collections they will house to become part of the streetscape to the passer.
A dramatic sweeping steel stair connects the two levels, with the logo mark embedded in the cellar floor finish. To echo the existing perimeter vaulted spaces, shallow timber ceiling vaults are created throughout the main body of the cellar space, and wine collections are housed in traditional timber crates within a bespoke steel framework. The tasting zones also integrate the latest ‘enomatic’ wine tasting technology.
Simple, honest materials are used throughout; limestone, wide oak boards, exposed brickwork, powder-coated steel. Discreet champagne and whiskey rooms are proposed, each with its own individual character. The luxurious displays in these speciality rooms draw their inspiration from the very nature of the products.
An exceptional design for an extraordinary product range in an exclusive location.
