Some brands totally get it. Launched in 1989 by Japanese car manufacturer Toyota as its luxury vehicle division, Lexus has gone leaps and bounds ever since. Produced in the Land of the Rising Sun, the cars represent a lifestyle that resonates well with a savvy demographic across the planet, and to engage in a broader and more meaningful way, Lexus created a design-led hospitality concept that cleverly embeds the automotive element. Following outposts in Tokyo and Dubai, Intersect by Lexus has landed in New York City, providing a like-minded crowd a welcoming meeting place where to indulge in good food, drink, and very likely, jolly banter. Similar to the previously opened outposts, the interior design has been created by interior designer Masamichi Katayama of acclaimed Tokyo-based practice Wonderwall. Occupying 16,500 sq.ft. (604 sqm.) set across three floors of a modern structure in the city’s Chelsea neighbourhood, Intersect by Lexus newest venue is also its largest, featuring a retail space, called Crafted for Lexus, and situated right next to the entrance.
The walls and ceiling are covered in panels of seemingly stacked strips of lacquered wood, and are paired with black + white honeycomb-shaped tile flooring. The retail section sees a wall cut-out filled with shelving and cabinets in a pristine white hue and, directly opposite, a cantilevered desk with built-in display cabinets. The adjacent space serves as a public gallery where a rotation of exhibitions and installations are held. But it’s actually the café, situated further away, that anchors the ground floor space. Up the stairs, the restaurant and lounge can be found. Aiming to become a destination in itself, the restaurant offers a rotating global chefs-in-residence programme that’ll allow it to introduce a new dining concept from a different chef every four to six months, kicking off with French chef Gregory Marchand. The top floor accommodates a private gallery is situated where various cultural events are to be held, including full immersion events, art installations, film screenings and performances.
Intersect by Lexus
412 West 14th Street (Chelsea)
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: +1 212 2305832
Daily 8-7 (café) / 12-11 (cocktail lounge) / 5-late (restaurant)
Wed-Sun 12-2.30 (restaurant)
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
