Philadelphia,PA (September 2017)
DAS Architects, a hospitality, retail and residential design firm in Philadelphia, has been engaged to renovate Boyds, Philadelphia’s iconic retailer of designer and custom-made apparel. Construction has begun on the initial phases of the project, as reported in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
“Boyds has always been the shop of choice for impeccably tailored men’s and women’s clothes,” said David A. Schultz, AIA, principal of DAS Architects. “Our design for the store has the same attention to fine detail. We worked closely with the client to fulfill their rebranding strategy.”
The $10 million project will be completed in phases and remain open during construction. It includes exterior restoration of the landmark building and renovation of the five floors to showcase women’s haute couture, handbags and shoes; men’s tailored furnishings and sophisticated sportswear for a younger clientele; and on the third floor, the classic men’s suits and formal wear for which Boyds is known worldwide.
The upper floors, including the tailors’ workshop, will be converted to executive and administrative offices. Boyds’ thirty-five full-time tailors will now have work stations on showroom floors so that shoppers can appreciate the custom-made process.
“Each floor is unique,” said Susan M. Davidson, IDC, principal of DAS Architects. “The first floor is a jewel-box, a light-toned environment with a patterned carpet that we designed specifically for the space, while the formalwear display features black and white porcelain tile floors and black accent walls. The sportswear site will be edgy and modern, with bleached wood and chic lighting. Every floor features a club area for relaxing in custom-designed furniture. Our work on this project is bespoke, like the apparel.”
Designed by Beaux Arts architect John Windrim and constructed in 1907, the Boyd’s building at 18th and Chestnut is on the National and Philadelphia Registers of Historic Places. The renovation project includes restoration of interior and exterior historic elements including Corinthian columns and decorative pilasters, wall panels and wainscoting, ceiling coffers and cornice moldings.
The blue canopy at the Chestnut Street entrance will be replaced with a glass and metal awning that showcases the original façade, and the heavy glass front doors will be replaced with a modern design using lighter materials.
All phases are expected to be complete in Fall of 2018.
Additional members of the Project Team include Bala Consulting MEP Engineer; Barry Isett & Assoc Structural Engineer; Grenald Waldron and Assoc Lighting Design; Studio DAS furniture procurement; and Clemens Construction general contractor.
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