SO–IL Designs Issey Miyake's New Madison Avenue Flagship
Issey Miyake has launched a new store spanning 13,000 square feet at 45 Madison Avenue in New York, crafted by the architectural firm Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu (SO–IL). Situated in the historic New York Life Building designed by Cass Gilbert, the two-story venue offers views of Madison Square Park. The design merges classic Beaux-Arts features—such as arched windows and high ceilings—with modern materials like transparent structural glass, aluminum, and stainless steel. A striking glass staircase, designed to look weightless, forms the centerpiece. The store also debuts MADO, the first gallery space in an Issey Miyake location outside Japan, promoting a fusion of fashion, architecture, and art. Jing Liu led the project, focusing on transparency and the interplay of old and new. SO–IL is concurrently developing a museum in Massachusetts, a mixed-use area in Boulder, CO, and their studio in Brooklyn, set to open at the end of May.
Key facts
- Issey Miyake opened a new store at 45 Madison Avenue, New York, five days ago.
- The store is housed in the New York Life Building, designed by Cass Gilbert.
- The space spans 13,000 square feet across two floors overlooking Madison Square Park.
- The store was designed by New York-based architecture firm Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu (SO–IL).
- Original Beaux-Arts details are paired with transparent structural glass, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- A monumental glass staircase is engineered to appear weightless.
- Repurposed elements from the former Tribeca flagship are used in the new store.
- MADO is the first gallery space within an Issey Miyake store outside Japan.
- Architect Jing Liu led the project.
- SO–IL is constructing a museum in Massachusetts and designing a mixed-use neighborhood in Boulder, CO.
- SO–IL's own studio in Brooklyn will open at the end of May.
- The store is designed to last at least 25 years.
Entities
Artists
- Jing Liu
Institutions
- Issey Miyake
- Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu
- New York Life Building
- MADO
- Whitewall
- SO-IL
Locations
- New York
- United States
- 45 Madison Avenue
- Madison Square Park
- Tribeca
- Massachusetts
- Boulder
- Colorado
- Brooklyn
- Japan
- Manhattan
- New York City
- New York Life Building