The US Headquarters of French luxury beauty company, Caudalie, not only brings to life the brand and its heritage, it also celebrates the character and texture of New York City.

Located in Manhattan’s Garment District, the 6,000 s.f. space is used for day-to-day business operations as well promotion of the brand. So while it was important that it meet the programming needs of an office, expressing the essential DNA of Caudalie as if it were a consumer-facing retail space was imperative. 

Caudalie has its roots in France’s wine culture and began as a vinotherapy spa on the grounds of the Smith Haut-Laffite winery, and has now grown to a brand with eight spas globally, a line of coveted beauty products, and a growing retail presence worldwide. Throughout this, Caudalie has maintained a strong connection to the winery in France. Mapos used this influence as it developed a streamlined material palette of white oak, blackened steel, and pine wine crates imported from France, all derived from the materials of winemaking.

The Mapos-designed reception desk was inspired by wine tasting tables as well as the work of Jean Prouvé, and features lighting reclaimed from an abandoned factory. Immediately behind this and enclosed in glass are the founders’ offices. As an important part of the brand’s identity, the founders’ location was critical to allow connection with all those that visit or work in the office. 

Mapos worked with the bones of the original building to ensure a texture of New York came through, stripping the existing site down to reveal terra cotta walls, steel columns, and concrete floors. The site has a floor plate with unobstructed exposure to the South, West, and North. Glass enclosed offices and meeting spaces, and open work areas along window walls maximize light while minimizing sound transmission. Sound absorbing fabrics in a subtle spectrum of the brand’s colors aid in sound masking while adding a luxurious layer to the space.