A closer look at the new Maison Louis Vuitton in Sanlitun, Beijing

As Sanlitun continues to evolve into a major retail and cultural district, the new LV store stands as one of its most closely watched additions.

Louis Vuitton has officially opened its newest flagship in Beijing, located in the recently revamped Taikoo Li Sanlitun North. Known as Maison Louis Vuitton Beijing Sanlitun, the four-story space reflects the house’s long-running collaboration with Japanese architect Jun Aoki, whose work has shaped several Louis Vuitton stores across Asia (including the flagship stores in Tokyo and Osaka)

Designed over several years, the project began discussions in 2020 and was completed as Sanlitun underwent a broader urban refresh.

Let’s talk about the facade

The most striking feature of the Sanlitun Maison is its facade. Made up of hand-carved glass panels clad in dichroic mirrors, the exterior changes in tone depending on light and movement throughout the day.

In an interview with Dezeen, Aoki explained that the design draws from Taihu stone, also known as the scholar’s rock, a form commonly found in classical Chinese gardens. These stones are valued for their slender proportions, textured surfaces, perforations, and sense of transparency.

The façade also references a silver dress designed by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton’s Women’s Spring–Summer 2016 collection. Early design stages directly followed patterns from the garment, though these were later simplified. According to Aoki, the final decision to use dichroic mirrors made the surface lighter and more fluid in appearance.

Inside the four-story Maison

The interior is organized across four levels, housing Louis Vuitton’s full range of collections. Women’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, and accessories occupy the first and second floors, while the lower ground floor is dedicated to men’s collections, pet accessories, and a hot-stamping station. A private viewing room on the third floor presents the Maison Collection, including homeware, tableware, and textiles.

A central atrium links the women’s areas across three floors, allowing natural light to filter in through the transparent facade. According to the House, the layout was designed to let attention shift naturally between product displays and the exterior’s glass surface.

The Maison Collection currently features pieces by designers Patricia Urquiola and Cristian Mohaded, alongside the Depero textile collection and a maroon version of the Totem Vinyle speaker first shown at Milan Design Week. Artworks by Chinese artists including Sun Yitian, Zhou Yilun, and Hou Zichao are placed throughout the store.

Le Café Louis Vuitton opens in Beijing

The fourth floor houses Le Café Louis Vuitton, marking the brand’s first cafe in Beijing and second in China (the other is located inside The Louis in Shanghai.) Designed by Louis Vuitton’s in-house team with Barcelona-based Astet Studio.

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Guests enter through an “infinite room,” a mirrored lobby filled with books and objects tied to travel and exploration. The cafe is led by chef Leonardo Zambrino, who previously opened Louis Vuitton’s dining spaces in Chengdu and Shanghai. The menu includes both House special dishes and creations available only in the Beijing location. An outdoor terrace and rooftop bar overlook Sanlitun.

A high-profile opening

The official opening was timed with the China launch of LV Ombres, La Beauté Louis Vuitton’s new eyeshadow collection, which takes up prominent space on the first floor. And there were appearances by Chinese actress Gong Li and brand ambassadors Jackson Wang, Dylan Wang, Zhou Dongyu, and Victoria Song.

As Sanlitun continues to evolve into a major retail and cultural district, Maison Louis Vuitton Beijing Sanlitun stands as one of its most closely watched additions.

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