Founded in 2006, Chinese fashion retailer Urban Revivo has now expanded to over 380 stores worldwide. Their latest flagship store is located in the district of Sanlitun, a popular destination for shopping in Beijing known for its busy streets and concentration of high-end shops. The store occupies a prominent location on Sanlitun West Street, the main pedestrian route connecting the two shopping “villages” of Taikoo-Li Sanlitun. The store therefore combines the young, trendy, accessible fashion of Taikoo-Li’s South Village with the dramatic bespoke façades favoured by luxury brands in the North Village – where the Beijing flagship store of Tiffany & Co. also recently opened with an MVRDV-designed façade.

Seven circular portals, inspired by traditional Chinese moon gates, serve as window displays and hint at the design’s interior qualities. Entering through the largest, central gate, visitors find themselves in an interior characterised by extensive use of grey brick – a reference to Beijing’s hutongs that also serves as a neutral backdrop for the presentation of Urban Revivo’s offering.