DESIGN DISPATCH

Celine Unveils a New Jewel Box in Miami, and Other News

Our daily look at the world through the lens of design.

Celine Miami. Images courtesy of Celine

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Celine Unveils a New Jewel Box in Miami

Lined with extravagantly designed retail showpieces, Miami’s prestigious Design District is a hotbed of luxury and glamour—a reality Celine surely took into consideration when conceiving its latest flagship. Capturing a harmonious blend of timeless sophistication and modern brutalism, a vision conceptualized by image director Hedi Slimane, the two-floor boutique is the epitome of refined architecture, marrying a range of natural stones like grey travertine and Arabescato marble with warmer elements such as oak and brass.

The ground floor, primarily dedicated to women’s leather goods along with the brand’s fine jewelry, is adorned with antique gold mirrors and a striking marble “perfume organ.” Upstairs, Celine Homme and women’s ready-to-wear collections are displayed amidst glass and polished stainless-steel showcases, aligned with a Basaltina tile grid. The space is further elevated by Slimane’s sculptural furniture and a collection of contemporary artwork, including paintings by Simone Fattal and Maia Ruth Lee, that imbue the French label’s Magic City jewel with a certain je ne sais quoi worthy of its neighborhood. —Nate Storey

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset is gearing up to launch in early February. 

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset promises an immersive and versatile experience. Arriving on Feb. 2 for $3,499, the high-end device features dual 4K displays, advanced tracking technologies, and a dedicated visionOS, enabling seamless transitions between AR and VR. Users can expect familiar apps and spatial videos, all encompassed within a sleek and comfortable design featuring a laminated glass display and a flexible adjustable headband. 

The American office market is facing a record downturn with a 19.6 percent vacancy.

The American office market is facing a historic vacancy crisis with 19.6 percent of office space not leased, surpassing even the downturn of the ‘80s and ‘90s. While remote work ignited by the pandemic fueled the flames, this vacancy surge has deeper roots—decades of overbuilding and evolving office needs that favor smaller spaces. Cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin are suffering most, while tech-heavy San Francisco is now home to some of the emptiest offices. But unlike the past, recovery might be slower, with remote work changing the game. However, some sunnier spots are emerging. Florida cities are now attracting finance giants with sunshine and tax breaks, proving adaptability within the evolving office landscape.

The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. Photography by Lucas Blair Simpson/SOM/Courtesy BWAF

Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation opens a multi-use headquarters in Manhattan.

Beverly Willis’s legacy lives on with “The Bev,” Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation’s new headquarters at Manhattan West. This 2,000-square-foot space, designed pro bono by SHoP Architects and named after the pioneering feminist architect, who died this past year, serves as a vibrant community hub and gathering place for women in architecture, engineering, and construction. Featuring flexible meeting spaces, program areas, and executive offices, it fosters innovation and mentorship while promoting gender equity in the industry.

New York public school students are pushing the city for greener school buildings.

New York City public school students are campaigning for greener school buildings through their newly formed coalition TREEage. They aim for all new schools to be emissions-free by 2030 and existing ones to be energy efficient. Their success includes securing a city commitment to electric-only new schools by 2030, driven by the belief that healthier learning environments lead to better student outcomes.

Scottsdale police thwart a heist attempt at American Fine Art gallery using a drone.  

An art heist attempt at Scottsdale’s American Fine Art gallery was thwarted thanks to a quick-thinking employee and a handy drone. California resident Harpeet Singh, the suspected thief, scattered stolen works across nearby rooftops but was soon located and apprehended. All but one Keith Haring piece was recovered. Investigators suspect potential buyers and a larger art theft operation were involved, fueled by the difficulty of discreetly selling such high-profile artworks. Singh faces criminal charges, while the hunt for any accomplices and the missing Haring piece continues.

ICEHOTEL. Photography by Asif Kliger

Today’s attractive distractions:

Sweden’s famed ICEHOTEL is reopening with stunning new ice sculptures.

Fiuto, a restaurant in Rome, welcomes four-legged friends and their owners.

The internet has shaped itself around Google’s powerful search algorithms.

Olympias, the Pacific coast’s only native oyster, are making a slow comeback.

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