Almost There, HLNR Readies for Opening Day

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Last month, we reported on the new H. Lorenzo eco-concept boutique HLNR, slated to open mid-April on Robertson Boulevard, south of Melrose. That didn't happen, as it usually goes with opening dates, but we caught up with Consulting Creative Director (and jewelry designer) Steven Trussell and he said the soft opening will be tomorrow, so get ready to shop labels such as Balmain, Comme des Garcons, Preen, Junya Watanabe, Neil Barrett, Raf Simons, Mister Holllywood, Kolor, Yohji Yamamoto, Jean Michel Cazabat, and Chloe and Veronique Branquinho shoes. Again, it's the shopping experience and Oliviero Baldini-designed shop that's eco here, but Trussell said that will change: "Right now we have about 20%-25% eco-friendly designers, but in a year-and-a-half, we'll have more like 70%." Though not completely finished just yet, the space was coming together as Trussell took us about and gave us the lowdown on the green, including the fact that going eco doubled the cost of building. Here are some highlights:

1) Must address the robots: There are about ten of them that will be inside and outside the shop; also designed by Baldini, the robots were created for an exhibition in Italy, and are for sale.

2) The steps/display area are a centerpiece to the store, made of repressed, recycled wood with a thin veneer.

3) The exposed raw wood ceiling is not treated, only washed.

4) Even the racks make an aesthetic statement, made from curly maple—matte, satin, and gloss—repurposed from a 1950s bank in Turin, Italy.

5) Cool black cases/storage are made from packing crates, and would likely be sold at DWR for a mint.

6) On steps inside and out, and what will function as a cooling system to diffuse the midday sun on dramatic panels on the exterior, is a mesh material that used to be a conveyor belt for drying pasta in Italy.

7) Solar panels on the rooftop will likely allow them to give back to the grid down the line.

8) Paperless bathroom: Eco-faucet, Dyson dryer and Toto paperless toilet—i.e., it does everything for you but the deed. HLNR will even be selling Dyson products, along with other lifestyle merch.

9) Paperless receipts, sent via email.
· H. Lorenzo's New HLNR Opening on Robertson [Racked]