Overview
Design brand Vitra has launched a new Manhattan showroom in a loft space on the third floor of 46 Bowery in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Previously home to the iconic Jing Fong dim sum restaurant, the location overlooks the grand Beaux-Arts entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. This 582-square-metre (6,264 square foot) space has been transformed into a retail and events hub showcasing both new and classic products from Vitra and its Finnish sister brand, Artek.
A Permanent Base for Vitra in NYC
After years of moving between temporary locations, the new showroom offers Vitra a permanent home in New York City. It now serves as a public showroom, a work base for Vitra and Artek’s New York teams, and a venue for special events. The brand has a deep historical connection to New York—CEO Nora Fehlbaum explained that her grandfather was first inspired to launch Vitra’s furniture production after discovering an Eames chair in the city.
Architecture and Interior Concept
- Original Building: A steel and glass structure built in 1960.
- Design Strategy: The Vitra in-house design team preserved the loft’s industrial character while enhancing natural light and maximizing its expansive views.
- Renovation: The space was stripped down to its essentials. The exposed ceiling grid, vast columnless floor plan, and new light grey concrete flooring create a clean, open environment.
- Windows: A 16 x 65-foot (5 x 20 metre) wall of windows frames dramatic views of the Manhattan Bridge.
Interior Highlights
- Flexible Layout: A shimmering silver curtain diagonally divides the space, creating separate zones for display, work, and events.
- Furniture Vignettes: Curated combinations of classic and contemporary pieces from both Vitra and Artek.
- Colors and Materials: Rich red tones, animal prints, blue denim accents, and solid woods such as walnut and black-stained finishes draw inspiration from nearby Elizabeth Street’s historic brick façades.
Communal Features and Functional Spaces
- Bar and Dining Area: A terrazzo island with bar seating and a communal table sits next to a compact kitchen area. Above it hang black Artek A110 pendant lamps, and seating includes the iconic Stool 64.
- Reused Tiles: Blue tiles behind the bar were salvaged from historical projects by Alvar Aalto, the co-founder of Artek.
- Workspace: On the other side of the curtain, a quiet office area features a backdrop of Dorothy Becker’s modular Uten.Silo storage systems in a grid layout.
A Cultural Anchor in NYC
Opening during NYCxDesign on May 15, the space reinforces Vitra’s cultural footprint in New York. It offers a dynamic venue for exhibitions, product launches, and collaboration with the local design community. The new Manhattan Showroom complements the brand’s iconic Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany, which is globally known for its architectural experiments and design legacy.
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Photos: Sean Davidson
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