-By pratyasha sarkar
In the French capital, Vuitton’s real estate ambitions will centre on converting the company’s corporate offices into a complex that will house its largest store globally and its first Louis Vuitton hotel.
The once-hip 1st arrondissement neighbourhood, which is next to the questionable shopping centre Les Halles, has already undergone a significant makeover thanks to Vuitton’s parent company LVMH. The completely redesigned La Samaritaine superstore and Cheval Blanc hotel were introduced by LVMH 18 months ago, and both immediately gained in popularity.
The opening date of Vuitton’s first hotel, which will be situated next to Cheval Blanc on the right bank of the Seine, overlooking Pont Neuf, is still unknown. Given that the Vuitton offices are housed in a building with a huge 36,000 square metres, there is plenty of potential for expansion.