Van Cleef & Arpels
Central Kyiv, Ukraine (Prime High-Street Retail District)
Luxury fit out project
Full-scale project management for the creation of Van Cleef & Arpels flagship boutique and operational office in Kyiv. The project transformed a space within a protected historical monument into an iconic luxury destination—combining interior craftsmanship with complex structural engineering, facade restoration, custom landscape design, and institutional-grade security infrastructure.
SCOPE
High-End Retail Fit-Out
MY ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Directing a multi-disciplinary team comprising a Construction Manager, Project Manager, Draftsman/CAD Specialist, and Brand Architect. Budget, timeline, and quality control across all project phases, including procurement of imported specialized materials. Oversight of dual-purpose space development, managing the simultaneous delivery of both the luxury boutique footprint and the regional back-office space.
KEY CHALLENGES
Heritage Status Regulatory Approvals: Executing structural changes and exterior modifications on a protected historical monument under strict municipal regulations. High-Security Requirements: Integrating heavy bank-grade vaults, structural reinforcement, and ballistic glazing without compromising the brand’s delicate luxury aesthetic. Complex Exterior Scope: Coordinating facade restoration and custom landscape design within a tight urban high-street environment.
DELIVERY APPROACH
Value Engineering (35% Budget Reduction): Driven procurement optimization and alternative engineering solutions. Replaced over-priced vendor quotes with vetted alternatives—such as sourcing an equivalent statement chandelier for €17k instead of €54k without compromising quality. Opted for a local Ukrainian shopfitting contractor over German manufacturers which saved about 130 k Euro.
OUTCOME
35% Overall Budget Savings; Flawless Quality & HQ Compliance; Complex Scope Fully Integrated: Delivered the bespoke golden dome, restored historical facade, custom landscape, and dual-purpose boutique/office footprint, successfully absorbing major supplier re-works through dynamic site management.