New Leica flagship store in New York’s Meatpackig District

A Leica flagship store has opened in New York, designed by Format Architecture Office, in the Meatpacking District, a neighborhood that has undergone a radical transformation over the past twenty years. The Leica store and gallery are housed in one of the lowest remaining buildings in the area, a 1950s meat market that had fallen into ruin and lacked notable architectural features.

The renovation features a light brick facade, which according to Format offers a contemporary interpretation of the decorative brickwork found in the district. The firm expanded the usable ground floor area while retaining some original features of the building, such as the wooden ceiling. The second floor was cut back to create a double-height space at the front, and new skylights were added to bring natural light down to the lower level.