© Various Associates / Photography: SFAP

Following the opening of a flagship store in Hangzhou last November, an event which we covered in a previous post, HAYDON is upping the game by opening a new boutique space in an even bigger retail arena—Shanghai. The multi-brand cosmetics retailer has secured a 600 sqm. (6,458 sq.ft.) set across two levels of a Neoclassical 1920s structure formerly known as the Meilun Building. Situated on The Bund, a quarter alongside the Huangpu River dotted with colonial landmark buildings, it features an interior design by Shenzhen-based architecture practice Various Associates. Given the fact that the building has a protected status, the façade’s original features had to be retained, but also had spatial consequences—customers actually have to pass through the building’s entrance and a public area before reaching the HAYDON store.

Additionally, the architecture has inspired the interior design codes that combine modernity with retro elements, such as green leather edged by wooden lines, a wooden spiral staircase and trays, reflective brass paired with an illuminated stretch ceiling, and mosaic tile flooring. As said, the ground floor sits right next to a public space, but also the building’s circular atrium. Interestingly, it’s the latter architectural element which has been replicated in the settings on both floors by way of circular structures and radial lines taken from space stations in classical sci-fi movies. On the ground floor the circular structure surround the central atrium in a loop, linked by mirrored stainless steel stands with gradually increasing heights. Mirrored surfaces and commodity displays arranged in multiple layers, angles and dimensions add a distinct glamorous touch. Furnishings comprise a sales counter and three concentric circles of displays clad in shiny metal.

A lavishly decorated spiral staircase, featuring a wooden handrail engraved with the HAYDON logo, crack-pattern glass, and last but not least, the bespoke carved gypsum are a nod to The Bund‘s glorious past. The setting on the top floor embeds the atrium at its core, and here, the contours are even extended while being lined with tiered dark timber displays with green leather fronts. Just like on the ground floor, shiny stainless steel blocks add futuristic to the space, while a subtle splash of orange, applied as a backdrop for a shelving unit, spices up the setting. Tall silver round-edged cabinets face the central point along radial lines. fitted out with wheels, they can easily be moved around. The new HAYDON store carries a wide range of established and niche foreign brands, including GuerlainSulwhasooMao GepingBorghese3CE and Gucci.

HAYDON
139 Nanjing Dong Lu (The Bund)
200011 Shanghai

© Various Associates / Photography: SFAP