Nov. 15--Holiday shoppers in Beverly Hills are about to encounter something new at Tiffany Co. on Rodeo Drive. The three-story structure, at 210 Rodeo, is in the midst of an 18-month renovation and plans to reopen the ground floor on Thursday, showcasing a new design that's contemporary while still nodding to the 178-year-old jeweler's rich past.
Influences include the previous Fifth Avenue flagship at 37th Street in Manhattan, designed in 1905 by McKim, Mead White, the architects who defined the look of Gilded Age America, as well as the current flagship at 57th Street, an example of 1930s-40s Art Moderne architecture designed by Cross Cross. The first floor will include Tiffany's first dedicated watch salon west of Chicago. Marble, cerused walnut paneling, velvet drapery and upholstered walls are among the luxe finishes. The entire project is slated to be complete by fall of next year.
