Kimmerle Group spearheaded a redesign and renovation of SPARC Group LLC’s Manhattan headquarters, allowing it to consolidate the homes of several apparel brands. Previously at distinct, brand-specific spaces, the units are now displayed as part of one integrated office that is home to design, merchandising, planning, production, marketing and visual teams that work across the company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale divisions. — Courtesy: Kimmerle
By Joshua Burd
A global fashion company has unveiled a new 175,000-square-foot office and showroom in Manhattan, following a design and renovation spearheaded by Kimmerle Group.
The Harding Township-based firm said the space, located at 11 Penn Plaza, has allowed SPARC Group LLC to consolidate the headquarters of several of its apparel brands. Previously at distinct, brand-specific spaces, the units are now displayed as part of one integrated office that is home to design, merchandising, planning, production, marketing and visual teams that work across the company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale divisions.
The project by Kimmerle Newman Architects and Kimmerle Workspace included renovations, interior design and furniture procurement, according to a news release.
“Our long-term relationship with the leadership at SPARC formed the basis for Kimmerle Group to become an effective and strategic partner in these recent rollouts, many of which have been in the planning stage since before the pandemic,” said George Kimmerle, founding partner and president of Kimmerle Group. “As the retail industry rebuilds and redeploys, Kimmerle Group is a part of that dynamic, and it’s an interesting place to be post-pandemic.”
SLIDESHOW: SPARC Group's new headquarters
All images courtesy: Kimmerle Group
SPARC Group is the parent company of brands such as Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Forever 21, Lucky Brand and Reebok. Its new headquarters supports the full suite of apparel-industry activities, the news release said, with specialty areas such as mock stores for national retail buildout models, showrooms to support a growing wholesale business and extensive workshops for designers involved in everything from denim to suiting.
As part of the project, Kimmerle said, the space has been refitted to capitalize on in-place assets while providing a modern, collaborative office and backdrop for both staff and visitors.
“The new SPARC Group headquarters in Midtown Manhattan balances the operational and showroom needs of several diverse groups within a portfolio of lifestyle and apparel brands — all in one space,” said William Kimmerle, a principal at Kimmerle Group, who led the project at 11 Penn Plaza. “Common spaces and showroom areas serve each of these brands without focusing on the market identity of any single brand. These areas, as well as additional ‘annexes,’ also provide flexibility for a company that continues to grow.”
Kimmerle Workspace provided guidance on new equipment purchases for offices and specialty areas, along with reorganization and refurbishment services to densify existing open plan furniture, the news release said. The agency also provided purchasing and installation services for moveable wall systems for private offices to afford SPARC future flexibility in accommodating changes in organizational structure.
Additionally, Kimmerle is leading the fit-outs for several other SPARC Group projects, including a 165,000-square-foot space at Brookfield Properties’ California Market Plaza in the fashion district of downtown Los Angeles, which is being managed by George Kimmerle. A third project, a 75,000-square-foot space for Eddie Bauer, is just underway in Seattle.
“Through our partnership with Kimmerle Group, we have been able to bring our vision for SPARC’s corporate headquarters to life,” SPARC Group CEO Marc Miller said. “We look forward to continuing our efforts to complete the additional SPARC Group spaces currently underway.”
