The Brand Brings Its “Raw Architecture” Retail Concept to Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall
Balenciaga has expanded its retail presence with the opening of its first store in North Carolina, located at Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall. The store, which opened on October 18, 2024, spans 368 square meters and offers a full range of Balenciaga’s men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections, alongside shoes, bags, accessories, eyewear, jewelry, and exclusive items.
Each room in the store is dedicated to a specific product category, featuring tailored design elements such as well-placed mirrors, carpeted floors, and targeted lighting to enhance the shopping experience. The store’s layout forms another extension of Balenciaga’s Raw Architecture concept, conceived to challenge traditional notions of luxury through its minimalist aesthetic.
The storefront is marked by two simple, white-lit signs and a high-definition video screen displaying site-specific campaigns on matte steel siding. This understated exterior contrasts with the mall’s more polished retail environment. According to the brand, the construction process was mindful of existing structural elements, leading to the use of fewer virgin materials. A concrete column near the entrance was preserved and serves as a focal point, visible from outside the store.
Inside, the store’s walls are clad in a mix of materials including smoked glass, patinated concrete, raw cement boards, and hot-rolled steel. The brushed concrete floors mimic the look of sidewalk tiles, creating a blurred line between indoor and outdoor spaces. A section dedicated to footwear features gray carpeting, distressed leather seating, and stainless-steel shelves, all under a skylight that allows natural light to filter into the space.
The store’s industrial atmosphere is accentuated by exposed grids and fixtures overhead. Balenciaga balances this raw aesthetic with modern touches, including backlit mirrors and natural light, adding warmth to the overall design.
