Welcome to New York
Trendy quarter, fashion Mecca, creative hub: In the heart of SoHo, New York, Lamy is opening a new brand store.
Original cobblestones, bordered by typical warehouses and factory buildings from the years of industrial expansion in the 19th century, galleries and artists’ studios, alongside jazz clubs, bars and cafés: Even first-time visitors experience a sense of déjà-vu when strolling through SoHo. That is hardly surprising, as the quarter in the south-west of Manhattan is legendary. Its characteristic cast-iron architecture with the fire escapes has entered into the collective memory as a backdrop in many films and photo shoots. The New York quarter has been the home of numerous artists since the 1960s – including Andy Warhol, David Bowie and Jean-Michel Basquiat – who appreciated SoHo for its vibrant scene and the spaciousness of its industrial lofts.
Precisely in this place, in one of the most dynamic districts of New York, the new Lamy store has been open since June 2018. Because SoHo is not just the creative centre of the Big Apple, but also counts as one of the most attractive shopping areas. A mix of unusual boutiques, exclusive brand stores, charming flea markets and antique dealers gives the quarter its special flair. In this neighbourhood, between Prince Street and West Houston Street, the new Lamy store blends into 452 West Broadway as a new drop-in centre for lovers of design.
A building from 1910, with metre-high fronts, provides an atmospheric and modern framework for the Lamy world. It combines the authentic SoHo look with a straightforward architectural style, which is also a mark of the Lamy design. Across two floors, visitors not only experience the variety of high-quality “Made in Germany” writing instruments, but also learn more about the history and values of the company as well as the awards it has received.
The new location in New York expands a growing network of Lamy stores around the world. Lamy is already represented with its own stores in major cities such as Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur – not to forget the first flagship store which was ´opened in 2016 in Heidelberg, the home town of Lamy.
Befitting its location, the New York store will also be used as a venue for events such as for talks and workshops. “The proximity to the creative scene opens up new possibilities for collaboration to us”, explains Beate Oblau, Managing Director at Lamy. Lamy is already planning its first steps in this direction: The side facade of the store will be designed by a well-known artist as a tribute to a street art culture which is more vibrant in SoHo than in most other places.
