WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – When you heard about the store that will be replacing the former Neiman Marcus in downtown Walnut Creek, you might have thought “Okay, fine” and then went on with your day.
That was my first reaction. But then enough people told me to take another look that I decided to dig a bit more.
The new store is going to be an RH Gallery. That’s from the brand formerly called Restoration Hardware. If you’re not aware, they sell upscale home furnishings and things like bespoke kitchen cabinets and couches.
Again, that might initially send the message: “Another retail store in Walnut Creek” and pique no further interesting.
But it turns out, RH Gallery stores aren’t like any other retail experience.
They’re crazy.
How do I know? When people kept saying the new RH Gallery in Walnut Creek was going to be amazing, I headed downtown to visit one of their existing RH Gallery stores in the Dogpatch neighborhood of SF and see what the fuss is about.
The first thing I noticed was the location. The downtown store is in a historical building, the Bethlehem Steel Building. Apparently, RH chooses buildings (the old Neiman Marcus included) that are architecturally dramatic.
Stepping inside, I felt like I was entering a museum, not a retail store. Right inside the door were several guides who invited me to look around.
Each room of the store was laid out like the model rooms in a historic home or a modern design museum. I got Filoli vibes.
Except each room was also full of classical Roman statuary, intricately hand-carved mosaics, and ornate vases. It was like strolling through the living room of some impossibly wealthy financier with a taste for early modern antiquities.
In the center of the whole thing, I found the Palm Gallery. This is a restaurant that feels like the opulent dining areas of a department store ca 1955.
The palms are literal–there are multi-story trees inside the restaurant’s atrium.
A minimalist bar was well stocked with bottles of liquor, tastefully illuminated, and flanked by more statuary.
You can eat here in elegance, and then meander through the rooms of the “gallery.” Except unlike in an actual museum, everything in the gallery is for sale.
The fact that this is a retail store is subtly, almost apologetically acknowledged by the presence of tiny price signs on the wall of each room.
Unsurprisingly, prices are high. A sofa, for example, might set you back $6,000. It’s like those cool little demo rooms at IKEA, only for the people who can afford to splurge $3,360 for a coffee table.
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At first, I thought the single floor was the entire building. Then one of the staff members told me that the store is, in fact, five stories tall, and has a rooftop garden. Because of course it does.
I rode the elevator up to see this. What I found were sweeping, panoramic views of San Francisco, with beautifully manicured topiary, firepits and lots of outdoor seating (all of it for sale, of course).
There were more statues. Even some giant, ceramic urns.
Granted, it was 10:00am on a Wednesday. But as far as I could tell, I was the only shopper in the entire place.
Clearly, the business model here isn’t based on volume. It’s about knocking your socks off with a shopping experience that’s so over the top luxurious and crazy that–if you’re able to drop $7,000 on on armoire–you might feel compelled to do so.
And if you’re a mere mortal like me who shops at the aforementioned IKEA for much furniture, you can at least wander these hallowed halls, enjoy the view, and sit down for a nice meal surrounded by towering indoor trees.
Again, “wild” is the best adjective I can think of to describe this space. And soon, we’ll be getting one here in the 925.
Our local RH Gallery will apparently also feature a restaurant and outdoor experience. RH said in an earnings call that it will include …”six contemporary Venetian-plastered Mediterranean buildings. These buildings will be connected by four gated courtyards leading to a 30-foot-high glass atrium garden restaurant surrounded by fireplaces, fountains, and an outdoor wine experience.”
I can’t wait. I won’t be buying a couch at this price point any time soon. But in terms of a shopping experience, I’ve never seen anything quite like this.
No word yet on when our RH Gallery opens. Join my free 925 News newsletter and I’ll let you know.
Note that RHG will be knocking down the Neiman Marcus building so no “historic” value here. You can see the plans on the WC city website. In my personal opinion, the building(s) itself lacks architectural interest from the street view – all one color, one height, one dimension (with tall windows). It seems very much like a warehouse from the exterior view. Obviously, the money and interest is within the walls, I’d just like to see that there is also beauty from the outside looking in…