Storecasting: Progress at Arcade Boutique on Melrose

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When we were checking out the LeSportsac boutique yesterday, we noticed more work in progress at Arcade boutique across the street, the upscale multi-designer shop, helmed by Rochelle Gores, set to open September 4 or 5.

Architect David Montalba of Montalba Architects (whose work includes Monique Lhuillier and Ports 1961 on Melrose Place, and Neil Lane opening on La Cienega) was on-site and took us for a brief tour of the shop-in-progress. The space, long but narrow, in fact looks bigger now, with warm walnut used for built-in shelving and displays at the center of the boutique, and bronze accents. The dressing room is notably plush, a curtained area twice as big as the usual trying-on quarters. It's a nice change of pace from the lofty, white-washed brand of shop. Montalba said Arcade has been a good project: "It sounds cliche but it all starts with the client. They've been really great to work with." A rendering is included in the photo gallery.
· Storecasting: Arcade Boutique on Melrose [Racked]