While the first Miami Beach branch of this popular “Fast Fashion” brand H&M has not yet opened it’s doors, the much-anticipated flagship shop is slated to debut on Lincoln Mall in the space formerly occupied by the New World Symphony at the Lincoln Theater. Working with building owners to respect and maintain the historic elements of the landmark property, the brand hopes to be selling their “disposable fashions” by Fall 2012. Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) specializes in trendy clothing for men and women that is “buy now, wear now” and inexpensive enough to encourage frequent visits.
The Lincoln Theater Building was originally designed by Architect Thomas W. Lamb in 1936 and current renovation specifications call for maintaining parts of the original lobby and mezzanine. The 22,000 square foot shop will have a glass wall at the back of the building – on the side that faces away from the pedestrian promenade – to open the shopping center to the brand new Frank Gehry-designed symphony space. H&M will be the first shop to make this gesture to the new Performing Arts Complex. Extensive renovations are slated to cost over $10 million.
Lincoln Mall has experienced a rather one-sided renaissance with most of the new money centered on the west side of the shopping mall near Alton Road where the Herzog & de Meuron Eleven Eleven complex has attracted a number of truly upscale retailers like Taschen Books, Juicy Couture and MAC Cosmetics. The opening of H&M at the east side of the mall brings the focus back to the Washington Avenue – tourist-centric – district where few new businesses have invested until now. 541 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139