Louis Vuitton opens redesigned Chicago store

In an effort to go toe-to-toe with Gucci, their toughest competition on N. Michigan Avenue, Louis Vuitton has opened a completely remodeled location. The store was designed by Peter Marino, who has also designed Louis Vuitton's SoHo and Place Vendome locations.

The Chicago store's new facade includes layers of metal and wooden mesh as an homage to the Palmolive Building in which the store is housed. In addition, the exterior features features an intricate bronze pattern based on an abstraction of the iconic Damier Geant pattern used in many Louis Vuitton leather goods.

The store entrance also features floating shelves to display several of the handbag offerings. The actual store itself has also been expanded an extra 10,000 square feet.

According to the company, the new store will carry all of the brand's major product categories, in addition to products exclusive to the Chicago store. Two exclusive handbag offerings are already available.

While Louis Vuitton and Gucci are competing with each other, retail traffic on the rest of N. Michigan Avenue hasn't been that great in the past two years. Many retailers have left the once booming shopping area, leaving many vacancies in their wake. While the avenue is in a state of uncertainty, select luxury brands at least some to be doing well for the time being. However, the retail economy there can't survive on just two stores alone. It will be interesting to see who tries to move in next.

photo: via Louisvuitton.com