Brands were looking for a home that was different from the high street.
The Puma Creative Factory Exhibtion Lanch On the 7th June 2012
BOXPARK aims to become part of the fabric of local life by adding colour, creativity and life of its own. low-cost, lowrisk ethos – for a revolutionary product mix.
Selected, ground breaking brands by invitation only to create a revolutionary mix. BOXPARK is not some run-of-the-mall shopping centre. It’s a living, fertile community of brands packed with talent, innovation and attitude that puts creativity and fashion back where they belong: on the street. The philosophy is to give innovative retailers space at affordable rates – and on unbeatably flexible terms. And it’s as local as it’s global – some ‘box-shops’ will be offered to local creative industries and organisations at preferential rates to ensure BOXPARK always involves and enhances every community it joins.
BOXPARK is constructed of stripped, and refitted shipping containers, to create unique, low cost, low risk, ‘box shops’.
Opened in 2011 by founder and CEO Roger Wade, alongside local legend Dizzee Rascal, BOXPARK Shoreditch will be open for the next five years. Filled with a unique mix of international fashion and lifestyle brands, galleries and cafés, it’s the world’s first ‘popup’ mall – so named because its basic building blocks are inherently movable: they can, and will, pop up anywhere in the world!
Boxpark Is to pop up in Amsterdam
Founder plans Amsterdam opening and says ‘queue of brands’ lined up for Shoreditch refresh.
Pop-up mall Boxpark has unveiled details of its next site in Amsterdam, and revealed plans for a significant refresh of brands in its original Shoreditch location. Boxpark has agreed a deal to take 107,500 sq ft on a former shipyard in the Dutch capital, and aims to open its doors to customers next summer. The site will feature a 54,000 sq ft entertainment area, which will host a range of activities including DJs and bands, theatrical performances and pop-up cinemas. However, unlike Shoreditch, Boxpark NDSM will only open on Saturdays and Sundays, with the creators hoping to keep its doors open 48 hours throughout the weekend. Rent will be determined as a percentage of turnover as a lower-risk option for brands and retailers. Boxpark founder Roger Wade said he hoped to “export” a large number of British brands to the Continent through the launch. “We hope to attract a lot of Brits,” he said. “I’d say at least half of the Shoreditch brands will come with us to Amsterdam.”
Boxpark NDSM will be located to the north of the center of Amsterdam in the shipyards and is accessible to visitors via a free ferry across the canal. The shipyards are undergoing a period of transition as it changes from a place of industry and fabrication to one dedicated to commerce, business and entertainment.
The container mall will be located in the Lasloods building, which is a large brick warehouse that was used as the welding hangar to finish the ships. The unique building retains the original character and is lit from above with large skylights. The space is currently utilized for indoor fairs, flea markets, concerts and other events, but the mall could help make better use of the space. Boxpark will open next summer with 120 container spaces on two levels in a C-shape inside the building and will provide space for retail shops, restaurants and bars. Unlike Boxpark Shoreditch in London, NDSM will be indoors and will not be as affected by adverse weather. The covered and protected space can hold a large amount of people for a variety of events all supported with a strong commercial core.
Robert Wade Founder of BOXPARK