Nobody else on the Place Vendôme looks even remotely
like Peter Marino. Standing in front of the square’s
landmark column, he is dressed in his habitual head-
to-toe black leather, dark shades covering his eyes.
Around his neck hang silver blade-like pendants, which
he lovingly refers to as ‘biker trash’. The New York
architect might be a hidebound biker from Queens, but
he has felt right at home on one of the world’s most
exclusive squares since the 1980s, when he often stayed
at the Ritz on business. ‘I believe in karma,’ he says, ‘and
certain places call you.’ By the end of 2018 he will have
put his signature on seven different addresses here.
Many belong to the LVMH group, with whom he
has a close relationship, but there’s also Graff and
Chanel Fine Jewellery. Marino is the rare architect
who can design neighbouring boutiques for competing
houses, making each one unique. He developed this
creative adaptability early in his career, when he was
working on private residences. ‘Mrs Smith would never
hire you if Mrs Roberts’ home had even one table like
the one she had,’ he says with a chortle. ‘You just don’t
do it, because you ain’t gonna get that job if you do.’
The first Place Vendôme address he designed was
for jewellery brand Fred, in 1999, though the décor
has since been replaced due to wear and tear. In 2007,
he unveiled Chanel Fine Jewellery, with silk-covered
walls and a stunning chandelier in rock crystal and
bronze by artist François Pascal, while 2010 saw the
completion of Hublot, with a monumental painting
by John Armleder, and Dior Joaillerie, where intimate
salons encircle a central atrium, all in 56 shades of grey.
Graff took its place alongside the Ritz in 2016.
Laurence Graff, the company chairman, says he called
Marino as soon as he found the right location.
‘We wanted to create a jewel box in the heart of Place
Vendôme, and Peter brought that vision to life. He took
our signature Graff Green and softened it, reflecting
the glamour of the 18th century.’ Marino is currently
working on a second address for Graff in the same area,
near Hôtel Costes, and is also working on a new Bulgari
boutique on Place Vendôme, set to open in late 2018.
Last October, a magnificent new Louis Vuitton
address opened on the square: two 18th-century hôtels
particuliers combined, their former magnificence
restored with stone floors and parquet patterns. Marino
mixed old and new, contrasting a stone staircase
with modern glass balustrades, playing with textures »BLOCK
BUSTER
As he designs his seventh store
on Paris’ chic Place Vendôme,
New York architect Peter Marino
on delivering the luxury goods
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHARLES PETIT WRITER: AMY SERAFIN118 ∑