For almost 15 years, Shawmut Design and Construction has operated in the Las Vegas market. And it’s safe to say that Shawmut still needed to construct a retail establishment with an inventory of 11,000 hats and amenities like a cutting-edge recording studio during that time.
These are the two distinguishing qualities of Culture Kings, a well-known streetwear company with headquarters in Brisbane, Australia. Which debuted its U.S. flagship location at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas in early November.
Shawmut developed the two-story immersive space in collaboration with the project’s AOR, Vegas-based Bunnyfish Studios. The architect who created the stores for Culture Kings in Australia and New Zealand is bokor architecture + interiors. The space was previously there are four tenants here, one of which is an art gallery.
Sports, fashion, music, and entertainment celebrities industries have become familiar with Culture Kings thanks to its stores in Australia and extensive online presence. Each store features daily DJ performances, and the wealthy “The Vault” showcases the newest watches, jewelry, and other accessories for men and women. The stores provide over 2,000 clothing and footwear styles from over 100 top brands, including 18 house brands.
American retailer adds some flourishes
Director at Shawmut’s Las Vegas office Eric Geisler claims the ninth Culture Kings location, which took eight months to complete, resembles the shops in Australia and New Zealand “very much.” A 75-foot-tall hat wall and a half basketball court are included. Customers can play interactive games to win prizes.
The 25,000-square-foot store has 14,000 square feet of retail space. It stands out for its large staircase with LED-clad risers and mirrored tunnel hallway leading to a “Secret Room” with exclusive merchandise. (a feature the chain installed last year at its store in Auckland, New Zealand), jumbotron, and more than 50 LED screens that stream the newest music and video artist creations live.
Geisler tells BD+C that his team visited Culture Kings’ stores in Australia to observe the “vibe” they give off to their patrons. The business wants to create an environment that encourages customers to hang out in the stores.
To that end, the recording studio, bar, and lounge for customizing footwear are exclusive to the Vegas location. The store’s black floor tiles and metal accents draw attention to the goods and Culture Kings’ content. According to Geisler, “figuring out where things went” during construction was the biggest challenge.
A turning point for development?
Culture Kings cofounder and CEO Simon Beard. Who found the business in 2008, revealed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That the store cost in Las Vegas is higher. That is the sum of the costs of all of the company’s stores in Australia.
The Vegas location is tucked away in The Forum Shops at Caesars between an Urban Necessities store and a Fat Tuesday eatery. Culture Kings is yet to state whether it plans to expand in North America. Despite the fact that, according to the Review-Journal, most of its current sales are made online. But it’s important to remember that the business is purchased by Brands Holding Corp., also known as a.k.a., last year. Brands Holding Corp. is known for being a retail accelerator.
CEO of Brands, a.k.a. Culture Kings, Jill Ramsey commented on the situation. Regarding the opening of the Vegas location, “This is a pivotal moment for Culture Kings.” Consumers interact with brands differently, and Culture Kings is reinventing traditional retail into a unique, immersive experience. I can’t wait to see the brand grow both domestically and internationally.
