LONDON — It’s moving week for Manolo Blahnik International Ltd., which has a new home in Mayfair at 31 Old Burlington Street, a few steps from the brand’s shops in Burlington Arcade.
The team has just moved into the six-floor town house, which spans 14,500 square feet and is Grade 1-listed, meaning that it is of historical and national importance.
The building is from the early Georgian era, a historical period beloved by the house’s founder Manolo Blahnik, who lives part time in Bath, a capital of Georgian architecture.
The building, which is located between New Bond Street and Savile Row, had previously been vacant.
According to market sources, the company acquired the property for 35 million pounds, although it did not confirm the price.
“The unique opportunity to make this investment marks an important milestone for our company as we set to move our headquarters to an iconic Georgian building in Mayfair,” said chief executive officer Kristina Blahnik.
The company’s move to Mayfair is part of a wider trend. The streets of the neighborhood are more popular than ever thanks to an influx of international investors, retailers and brands that are taking the long view on London.
International luxury brands, contemporary art galleries and restaurants are piling into Bond, New Bond, Albemarle and Mount Streets, eager to position themselves in what remains a hub of wealth, distinctive architecture and liberal values.
Earlier this week, Gucci opened a 15,000-square-foot store in a former art gallery on New Bond Street, while Kering has taken a record-breaking lease for a Saint Laurent store on the corner of Bond and Grafton Streets.
According to sources, Kering will pay in excess of 13 million pounds a year for the six-story property. Kering has declined to comment on the lease, or the rent.
Manolo Blahnik’s move to Mayfair is the latest in a series of big moves by the company over the past few years. In 2019 the company acquired its own atelier and production facility near Pavia in Italy. It has also been ramping up international expansion in the U.S., its largest market, and in Asia.
In June, the company named Elodie Bougenault chief commercial officer with the aim of driving global expansion further with a particular focus on Asia.
The brand is distributed in more than 300 doors globally with points of sale in 30 countries encompassing Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. It operates its own global e-commerce platform, and has 17 stand-alone boutiques.
This story was reported by WWD and originally appeared on WWD.com.
