New York City – April 2, 2007 – 2006 was as a banner year for Shawmut Design and Construction. The Retail Group, which specializes in building for the world’s most recognizable brands in key retail destinations, added four award-winning projects to its already impressive portfolio that includes stores for Apple Inc., Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Graff Diamonds and Puma.
In May, Shawmut completed Longchamp’s Soho flagship in New York City, La Maison Unique. The store included a flowing steel staircase, peel down ceilings, and an outdoor terrace. Shawmut collaborated with designer Heatherwick Studio and architect Atmosphere Design Group on the remarkable store which was named “Merit Winner” of the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) 2007 Aon Build America Award; “Best NYC Store – 2nd Place” by the Institute of Store Planning and PAVE; “Best of 2006 – retail category” by Accessories magazine; “Best of the Year Award – Retail Boutique” by Interior Design magazine; and “Best of 2006” retail category by New York Construction magazine. The project also graced the cover of VM+SD’s November 2006 issue.
In August, Shawmut completed the Nokia 57th Street flagship store in New York City. The three-story space included color-changing wall panels and interconnecting feature stairs. Shawmut worked closely with architect Eight, Inc. to complete the store which was named “Best NYC Store – 1st Place” by the Institute of Store Planning and PAVE. The store was also awarded the “Grand Prize, Hardline Specialty Store 3,001 – 25,000 sq. ft” and the “Store Fixture Award, Fixture Grouping” by GlobalShop, sponsored by NASFM (National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers).
In October, Shawmut teamed up with architect Fitch (formerly Walker Group/CNI) to complete Motorola’s unique concept on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, Motorola RED. The store was created to raise money and awareness for AIDS victims in Africa and was featured in several publications and on television programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show. The project was an overwhelming success and the store received the “Design for a Cause” award in Chain Store Age’s 2006 Retail Store of the Year design competition, “Specialty Store Under 1500 sq. ft. – 1st place” in the ISP/VM+SD International Store Design Competition, and grand prize in the “Pop-Up Store” category of NASFM 2007 Retail Store Design Awards.
Also in October, Shawmut completed its most impressive Apple Inc. store yet, Apple’s Fifth Avenue Flagship in New York City. The store’s entrance is a 32-foot glass cube enclosing a cylindrical glass elevator and a glass spiral staircase. Shawmut’s work with architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson helped make the project a “Merit Winner” of the AGC 2007 Aon Build America Award. Apple Fifth Avenue was also featured on the cover of VM+SD’s September 2006 issue.
