Situated in a 430 square meter subterranean space in the vault of a historic bank on the popular Rembrandt plein, the new shop is the 9th Starbucks concept store to open in the last three years across the globe, but the first shop they are openly referring to as a ‘laboratory’. A large beautiful store inspired by Dutch culture and tradition, ‘The Bank’ will raise the bar on how Starbucks openly innovates. Design director Liz Muller assembled a team of local artists and craftsmen to create features that include re-purposed oak furniture, antique Delft tiles and wall coverings fashioned from the recycled inner tubes of old bicycle tires.Over 1800 individually cut wooden blocks make up the undulating ceiling, while the vault’s original marble and concrete floor has been restored and exposed. A bakery is positioned at the rear of the store, while raised platforms provide stages for live music or poetry performances.
