El Palacio de Hierro – Polanco
THE TEMPLE OF MEXICAN LUXURY EL PALACIO DE HIERRO INCLUDES A TILE “MEANDERING RIVER OF LIGHT”
El Palacio de Hierro, Mexico’s premier luxury department store chain was founded over 125 years ago. The Polanco store reopened in 2016 after an extensive renovation and expansion, and with its 650,000 square feet, four levels and eight parking levels, it is the largest department store in Latin America.
Located in the heart of Mexico City, the store comprises a full line of departments including cosmetics, jewelry and watches, women’s, men’s, children’s, home, furniture, kitchen and technology. The store also features several departments unique to a flagship such as a travel agency, tea salon, cafes, salons and a Gourmet department.
The New York-based firm TPG Architecture did extensive research on the urban character and history of Mexico City, along with the legacy of the El Palacio de Hierro brand. The design of each department began with the establishment of a core design concept reflective of the merchandise category and brands. The result was an environment able to embody both Palacio’s legacy and modern identity, together with the leading global brands and brand shops’ identities presented within the Palacio store environment.
With our flagship product Tile, the TPG design team was able to custom create the look they wanted for the Women’s “Better” Shoe department. This department sits on the main path of circulation between the two main atriums of the Polanco project. They needed a lighting fixture that demonstrated qualities of light, elegance, and luxury, and sought to create a “meandering river of light”.
Tile was the perfect modular concept to work with as each crystal Tile is a 12″ x 4.5″ building block.
Once the concept was developed, the Fabbian team was able to quickly create 3-dimensional CAD drawings in order to translate the concept into the project plans, renderings, and models. To prevent dirt and dust from infiltrating the structure during construction, the installation had to be conducted near the completion of the shopping center. As such, when the client was ready to receive the materials, over 1500 pieces of hand-made Italian crystal were flown directly from Italy to the site, arriving within a few days of release.
Once on site, the installation of the Tile system was also near instantaneous: from arrival to completion, the 250-foot long x 6-foot tall structure was assembled in only 3 days time.
Hanging above the designer stilettos and flats, the clientele of this upscale space are illuminated by a crystal glass modular sculpture, the perfect stylish partner.
The crystal Tile system can be customized to any length and up to 40 feet tall with lighting integral or embedded into the crystal frame. Murano glass variations are also available with the Laminis system for additional customizable capabilities.
Tile and Laminis have been installed as chandeliers, wall features, art installations and as columnar features in projects throughout the world.
Architect: TPG Architecture
Photographer: Paul Rivera Photography
