Bloomingdale’s Opens First International Stores in Dubai

Bloomingdale’s Opens First International Stores in Dubai
February 01, 2010

The first international Bloomingdale’s stores, part of a venture between Al Tayer Insignia LLC and Macy’s Inc., have debuted in Dubai. The two Bloomingdale’s locations--a three-level, 146,000-sq.-ft. apparel and accessories store and a one-level, 54,000-sq.-ft. Home store--now anchor The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centers. Bloomingdale’s Dubai is a full-line, upscale department store showcasing a brand portfolio representing the latest and most desirable merchandise across every category throughout both, the main and Home stores.

The stores’ designs were conceived by Callison Architecture Inc. and RYA Studio, with direction from Jack Hruska, Bloomingdale’s U.S. executive vice president of creative services. Inspired by the flagship Bloomingdale’s store in Manhattan on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue and the West Coast flagship in San Francisco, Bloomingdale’s Dubai is a contemporary store with splashes of decorative elements throughout both stores, from the signature black-and-white checkerboard floors in crystallized marble to the hand-blown glass chandeliers in Lingerie & Swimwear, to the fountain at the heart of the Home store and the serpentine walls of glowing white acrylic that light up the women’s footwear department. Arabic influences are used throughout the store as highlights. The detailing throughout the stores is clean and simple, and the use of finishes and furniture, rather than a focus on fixtures, ensures a warm and residential feel.