A serene 3,000-square-foot café and retail space for Takishimaya’s Fifth Avenue flagship—harmonizing tea culture, refined textures, and flowing spatial design within a windowless, below-grade environment.
The Tea Box at Takishimaya is a 3,000-square-foot café and retail venue designed for the renowned Asian luxury retailer’s Fifth Avenue flagship.
Conceived as a tranquil sanctuary devoted to the art of tea, the space showcases a wide range of tea accessories and culinary offerings through a serene, sculptural layout.
Though located in a below-grade area with no natural light, the design creates an atmosphere of calm sophistication through controlled forms, layered materials, and a distinctive sense of spatial flow.
The existing site posed several obstacles: it was entirely below grade, devoid of natural light, and constrained by kitchen ventilation located diagonally from the cooking area.
Additionally, the program required a seamless relationship between two functions—café dining and retail—without creating physical or visual fragmentation. The challenge was to unify these zones, conceal necessary infrastructure, and elevate a difficult space into a refined, atmospheric destination.
The design team introduced a peripheral “ceiling ring” to house all required ductwork and mechanical systems, keeping the central volume as open and tall as possible. To subtly define programmatic zones without dividing them, a series of sculptural screens and partial-height walls were arranged to slip past one another without touching the ceiling—allowing space, light, and sightlines to remain fluid and uninterrupted.
A dramatic, continuous fabric ceiling begins in the dining area and extends outward into the retail section, visually linking the two functions. Materiality reinforces this connection: lighter tones and textured finishes designate the retail zone, while darker, more reflective surfaces signal the dining area’s intimacy. The signature tea wall, composed of traditional Japanese storage tins wrapped in delicate, uniquely tinted rice papers, serves as a striking focal point—its subtly graded colors signaling tea varieties while exemplifying the meticulous attention to detail found throughout the space.
Through thoughtful spatial choreography, controlled light, and a restrained palette, the Tea Box transforms a challenging basement space into a peaceful, immersive environment that celebrates the ritual and refinement of tea culture.
The Groves & Co. team doesn’t just design spaces—they create environments that tell a story. Their expertise and collaborative approach made the process seamless, and the end result is a space that inspires everyone who walks through our doors.
Working with Groves & Co. was a transformative experience. Their team brought our vision to life with such precision and artistry, creating a home that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, and the final result surpassed our expectations.
