London & South East Premier Retail

Malin + Goetz

Malin + Goetz
Written by Roma Publications

Malin + Goetz branches out to London

Malin + Goetz

credit: Dirk Lindner. www.dirklindner.com

Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz first launched their skincare brand and architecturally acclaimed flagship store twelve years ago in New York’s Chelsea neighbourhood. Since then, the brand has moved across the globe with stores in Paris, across America and Europe.

London has recently seen the introduction of two flagship stores, one at Upper Street, Islington and the other at Seven Dials, Covent Garden. Both stores present a heavenly selection of goods for those interested in keeping their skin healthy and glowing.

Treating and maintaining skin is Malin + Goetz’ prime focus and this is reflected in the products that are on offer. Each product has been formulated with trusted natural ingredients along with performance focused technologies to deliver exceptional results for all, including those with sensitive skin.

Malin + Goetz

credit: Dirk Lindner. www.dirklindner.com

Both of the London flagship stores saw developments commence in March 2016, with a 12-week programme unfolding at the store in Islington, before it was revealed to the public in June.

Connacht Construction acted as main contractor on the store located at Upper Street, Islington. Premier Retail caught up with Keith Oldfield, Director of Connacht Construction, who said:

“I have worked with Jonathan Tuckey Design – the architects on the project – over the last couple of years on other schemes. I worked as site manager for a construction company prior to starting my own business, and during that time I worked on a couple of projects where Jonathan Tuckey Design were the main architects, so my ongoing relationship with them has led me to this particular project.

“When we first got there the existing shop had different level ceilings and it was very bland. We ripped it out and stripped the whole thing back to the original structure; following this the architectural works began.

“We took out a staircase which went down to the basement, rebuilt and modified it, and now that staircase moves down to the second level which comprises a storage room and staff room. We ripped out the shopfront and that was replaced and made by a joinery company, to bring it back to a more traditional Victorian look. We carried out the finishes to ensure a stylish new store.

Malin + Goetz

credit: Dirk Lindner. www.dirklindner.com

“The council asked us put in level arches because there is a 180mm step up into the store – so they asked us to put in a porch and introduce a ramp to make it wheelchair accessible.”

Jonathan Tuckey commented:

“At Upper Street, we focussed on an apothecary feel that works well in keeping with neighbourhood ambience that M+G wanted in this residential part of London. At Monmouth Street, we thought that something more theatrical was appropriate as Covent Garden is very much a destination for so many high end retail brands.”

“The Islington shop has a warmth that we enjoy and a feeling of something new yet something found too. We like this type of ambiguity when reworking buildings. At Covent Garden, we are excited by the way in which our interior is experiential like an art installation.  It also plays on the idea of something cinematic or a stage which is an intriguing part of retail design today.”

What is interesting about the two flagship stores is the fact that they are completely different to one another in terms of design, with two different architects from Jonathan Tuckey having worked on either site. Despite the fact that both stores have maximised the space effectively, the Upper Street store presents more of a compact, cosy feel with lots of wood and a shopfront to match the interior design; whereas the store at Seven Dials displays a lighter, open space with a simple shopfront.

In fact, no two stores of the Malin + Goetz brand are of the same style, conveying an emphasis on individuality and fresh design concepts. Malin + Goetz place value on incorporating the location of each store into the design.

Keith added:

“The biggest challenge was probably the timing because it was a short programme and we had to fit a lot of work into that. Trying to ensure that all of the sub-contractors came in at the correct times was challenging and also the shopfront was delayed because of the council insisting on putting in a porch, so that delayed manufacture. We were pressed to still hit the target for the opening day, and we were lucky it all worked out successfully.

“The feedback has been really positive; everyone seems to be really happy with it.

“It’s great because my company is only two years old so to be involved with a project with such a high end name is massive!”

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Roma Publications