Press Releases
Bulgari Opens Newly Designed Fifth Avenue Flagship
New York, April 2007 – In celebration of new spaces rooted in classical traditions, Bulgari, will reopen its iconic flagship store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
Designed by Bulgari’s internal design department to compliment Bulgari’s distinctive architectural style, this new store will boast approximately 13,000 square feet. Originally opened in 1989, this Flagship store remains the largest Bulgari store in the U.S.
With a completely renovated exterior the new store will have two entrances - one on Fifth Avenue and one on 57th Street. Both will be backlit with special glass creating a warm illuminating presence during the day and through the night.
An impressive glass façade standing at 21 feet high will replace the formerly small display windows that were set in Italian marble. As part of this façade, 11 oversized “vitrines” paying contemporary homage to the historic Bulgari flagship store on the Via Condotti in Rome will wrap around Fifth Avenue on to 57th Street creating a truly ethereal atmosphere.
The new design will expand the store from two to three levels. A voluminous staircase enhanced by backlit steps in glass and made of steel with a copper finish will connect the various levels. The first floor will display one-of-a-kind precious jewels, contemporary jewelry collections, and a area dedicated to watches for both men and women. The mezzanine and the second floor will be dedicated to Bulgari’s bourgeoning accessory business, including women’s leather and exotic handbags, small leather goods, silk and gifts, as well as men’s ties and leather goods.
Inside, Margaritelli wood floors imported from Italy will juxtapose Trani marble walls, reminiscent of Roman architecture. Special handmade steel finishes will be used along the perimeter of the walls and inside the guest elevator. Additionally, copper liver finishing is used along the elevator wall.
In celebration of new spaces rooted in classical traditions, the 11 windows of the newly designed Bulgari Fifth Avenue store will be dedicated to Bulgari’s vintage museum jewels. The retrospective windows will highlight 11 important moments in Bulgari’s history of design by decade, starting with silver objects from the late 1800s to the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s, the Pop Art movement of the 1970s to present day.
In addition, limited edition items including precious python twist bags with Roman antique coins from 4th century B.C. and priceless necklaces with ancient coin pendants will be sold exclusively at the Fifth Avenue store.
Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer of the Bulgari Group, thus commented: "We are very proud of the re-opening of this new magnificent store also considering that in the 1970's the city was elected as one of the milestones to start the international expansion of the Group. Today there are 15 Bulgari stores in the United States and we are planning to further reinforce our presence in the country with new openings in the next future. We are therefore determined to grow more and more in this strategic market through the constant commitment for high quality, style and design that have always distinguished all our creations."
Since the late 1800s, BVLGARI has been synonymous with the finest Italian style. Outstanding jewels fine watches, a vast range of leather goods, silver gifts and perfumes are now coveted by a sophisticated clientele in over 150 countries. Every BVLGARI creation is imbued with a spirit of excellence, hence the attention to detail and the research for absolute quality. As an ultimate tribute to the world of luxury, BVLGARI also opened its first hotel in Milan in 2004 and its second five-star luxury resort hotel in Bali in October 2006. Additional hotels will open across the world's major travel destinations including New York, Paris, and London.
In the U.S., Bulgari stores are currently located in: New York, Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, Bal Harbour, Costa Mesa, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Aspen, Honolulu, Ala Moana, Las Vegas and Madison Avenue.
For further information
| Media relations | Analysts / investor relations |
| Paolo Piantella | Renata Casaro |
| Corporate Financial Press Office Director | Investor Relations Director |
| tel. +39 06 68 810 593 | tel. +39 06 68 810 467 |
| e-mail paolo.piantella@bulgari.com | e-mail renata.casaro@bulgari.com |
| www.bulgari.com | http://ir.bulgari.com |