On the first day of spring in Lower Manhattan, history met high fashion as Printemps New York officially opened its doors at One Wall Street. The International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA) and Hildreth Meière descendents were honored to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony—featuring Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, and Jean-Marc Bellaiche, Global CEO of Printemps.
The day not only marked the debut of Printemps’s “apartment store” concept in the U.S., but also celebrated public access to a long-hidden gem: the landmarked “Red Room” at One Wall Street. The event beautifully brought together themes of fashion, art, architecture, and legacy in Lower Manhattan.
Left to Right: Gregory Gourdet (Executive Chef), Laura Lendrum (CEO, Printemps America), Laura Gonzalez (Architect and Interior Designer) Anna Wintour (Editor In Chief of Vogue), Jean-Marc Bellaiche (Global CEO, Printemps), Thierry Prevost (Managing Director, Printemps)
Left to Right: Anna Kupik (President, IHMA), Laura Lendrum (CEO, Printemps America), Richard Brennan (Partner, HLW), Hilly Dunn (Vice President, IHMA), Jeffrey Yachmetz (Executive Vice President, Dilmon LLC)
Left to Right: Michelle Haska (IHMA Advisory Board), Anna Kupik (President, IHMA), Hilly Dunn (Vice President, IHMA), Joseph LoSchiavo (IHMA Board), Elizabeth Leckie (Secretary, IHMA), Michele Finn (IHMA Board)
Left to Right: Anna Kupik (President, IHMA), Jean-Marc Bellaiche (Global CEO, Printemps), Thierry Prevost (Managing Director, Printemps), Hilly Dunn (Vice President, IHMA)
A Masterpiece Reimagined: The “Red Room” at One Wall Street
Originally completed in 1931 as the banking hall for the Irving Trust Company, the “Red Room” is a soaring, mosaic-covered interior and a collaboration between muralist Hildreth Meière and architect Ralph Walker (whose successor firm is now HLW). According to an original work order, the room is adorned with over 7,791 square feet of red and gold glass mosaic tesserae—fabricated in Berlin by Pühl & Wagner and installed by their U.S. affiliate, Ravenna Mosaic Company. Lillian Sizemore, Mosaicist and Principal of Lillian Sizemore Design conducted a recent count of the tesserae (tiles) and arrived at a little over 3.2 million using the square footage mentioned above.
Radiating timeless Art Deco energy, the space had been closed to the general public since 2001. In 2014, Macklowe Properties purchased One Wall Street from Bank of New York Mellon and began converting the historic office building into luxury condominiums. Throughout the redevelopment, Macklowe preserved and restored the “Red Room”, recognizing its artistic and architectural significance.
For the larger Printemps project and the most recent “Red Room” restoration, Design Republic (DR) was engaged as the Executive Architect, and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners (H&Q) served as Landmarks Preservation Consultant.
Left to Right, Anna Kupik (IHMA), Vincent Iacobellis (DR), Julie Rosen (H&Q), Brooke Luckock (DR), Denielle Cordaro (DR), Elizabeth Mandato (DR).
The “Red Room” was briefly used as the sales office for the new condominiums from 2021 to 2023, offering lucky prospective residents the rare opportunity to experience the landmarked room.
Now, the space is once again accessible to the public—reimagined as both a shoe salon and cocktail bar inside the Printemps New York store. In June 2024, the room was officially designated a New York City interior landmark, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
“Hildreth Meière was one of the most innovative American muralists of the 20th century,” said IHMA President Anna Kupik. “To see her work restored, landmarked, and made accessible to the public for the first time in over two decades is incredibly meaningful—it reaffirms the value of preserving public art and honoring the artists who helped shape the visual identity of New York City.”
Paris Meets Wall Street
Printemps, the historic French retailer known for blending luxury with creativity, chose One Wall Street as the location for its first “apartment store” concept in the U.S. The store spans two levels and was designed by renowned architect and interior designer Laura Gonzalez, who infused the space with whimsical Parisian flair while preserving the “Red Room’s” Art Deco soul.
Laura Gonzalez’s “Magic Forest” concept in the “Red Room” includes a new mosaic river floor, white flower-shaped lamps and soft textiles that complement the warmth of the original mosaics. Amongst the designer shoes showcased, plush couches along the perimeter invite visitors to sit and sip on cocktails from the Red Room Bar—including the signature “Hildreth’s Room” cocktail. With multiple mirrors inviting selfies as well as five food and beverage offerings curated by Top Chef finalist and James Beard winner Gregory Gourdet, Printemps has created a uniquely welcoming experience.
One of Hildreth Meière’s Great-Granddaughter's Beth Meière Bullock, with “Hildreth’s Room” Cocktail in the Red Room Bar
The Red Room Bar Menu
Why the “Red Room” Matters Today
Whether you remember the elegance of grand department stores, are curious about women who shaped New York’s skyline, or just love seeing historic spaces brought back to life—the “Red Room” offers something for everyone.
It’s a place where generations can gather, surrounded by the bold color and craftsmanship of an artist who helped define the look of 20th-century America buildings—and whose work still shines, nearly 100 years later.
Learn More: Hildreth Meière
Who was Hildreth Meière?
Hildreth Meière (1892–1961) was a pioneering American muralist who worked in a variety of mediums including mosaic, mixed metal, and paint. A leading figure in Art Deco design, she was the first woman appointed to the New York City Art Commission, and in 1956, was awarded the Fine Arts Medal by the American Institute of Architects. Over her career, she completed more than 100 commissions, including work at Radio City Music Hall, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Nebraska State Capitol.
Where else can you see Hildreth Meière’s work in New York City?
Meière’s legacy lives on in many of the city’s most celebrated architectural and historical landmarks. In addition to the “Red Room” at One Wall Street, Notable public commissions include:
- Radio City Music Hall (50th Street façade): Meière created three large mixed metal and enamel roundels—“Dance”, “Drama”, and “Song”—that represent the energy and spirit of the performing arts.
- Temple Emanu-El (Fifth Avenue): Her mosaic designs for the sanctuary’s Arch and Ark enhance the grandeur of one of the largest synagogues in the world.
- St. Bartholomew’s Church (Park Avenue): Meière designed the narthex domes and pendentives, as well as the half-dome of the apse. This project also marked a major milestone in her career: the completion of her first stained glass windows.
- AT&T Long Distance Building (32 Avenue of the Americas): Her lobby ceiling in silhouette glass mosaic and entrance wall map in building tile celebrate modern communication and remain a vibrant example of her Art Deco style.
- St. Thomas Church (Fifth Avenue): Meière painted angels on the doors of the Remembrance Shrine, integrating figural work with sacred architecture in a quiet and contemplative space.
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Fifth Avenue): In the Lady Chapel, Meière created a stunning altar frontal in marble mosaic for one of the city’s most visited sacred spaces.
A Living Legacy
From a private banking hall to a luxury condo sales gallery—and now a vibrant public shopping destination—the “Red Room’s” evolution is a story of enduring artistry, adaptive reuse, and cultural appreciation. The International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA) is proud to see Hildreth Meière’s work not only preserved, but reintroduced to the public in such a meaningful way.
About the International Hildreth Meière Association
Founded in 2004, the International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA) inspires, educates, and preserves the legacy and works of artist Hildreth Meière. As the primary source for information on Hildreth’s life and works, IHMA has created exhibitions, publications, documentary series, tours, and lectures for the general public, educational groups, and the sites of Hildreth's commissions.
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