Case Study: Cartier Flagship Store Refurbishment

Introduction:

The Cartier flagship store located at 13 Rue de la Paix in Paris, France is one of the most famous luxury boutiques in the city. Having opened in 1899, it has become a destination for royalty, celebrities, and discerning collectors. The store underwent major refurbishment, which began in 2020 and was completed in September 2022. The refurbishment saw the store transformed into the largest Cartier boutique in the world, with a new five-story design.

Challenges:

The refurbishment of such a historic and iconic building presented several challenges. As the store is located in the heart of Paris, the construction work had to be carefully planned to minimize disruption to the local community and businesses. Additionally, the refurbishment had to be carried out while maintaining the store’s original character and architectural features.

Solution:

To ensure the safety of the building and its occupants during the refurbishment, a fire alarm system was installed. The contractor chose WES temporary wireless fire alarm solution, the WES3 system. A total of 38 WES3 units were installed, including one Connect control panel, 19 WES3 Call Points, and 18 WES3 Dust-resistant smoke detectors. The WES3 system is designed to be quick and easy to install and provides strong connectivity even in challenging environments.

Innovative Features:

The WES3 system is known for its dust-resistant smoke detectors, which were a perfect fit for the refurbishment project. The dust-resistant feature ensures that the detectors will continue to function correctly even in environments where dust and debris are present. This is particularly important during construction projects, where dust can accumulate and cause problems for traditional fire alarm systems.

Conclusion:

The refurbishment of the Cartier flagship store has been a success, thanks to the careful planning and execution of the fire alarm system installation. The WES3 system has proven to be a reliable and efficient solution, ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants during the refurbishment. The store reopened in September 2022 as the largest Cartier boutique in the world, and will continue to be a destination for royalty, celebrities, and discerning collectors.