DSM-Firmenich has opened a new 44,000sqft fine fragrance space in New York City, US.
The flagship location at a former luxury department store on 641 Avenue of the Americas in Chelsea marks “a new chapter” for the company in North America.
The space will bring together the fragrance and flavour company’s expertise under one roof, including perfumers, fragrance development teams, application, digital, and compounding capabilities.
Designed to foster collaboration and creativity, as well as accelerate innovation alongside clients and partners, the hub will house around 100 employees, including nine fine fragrance perfumers.
The “open and immersive” space is designed to create “new opportunities for clients and visitors to engage directly with perfumers, discover ingredients, exchange ideas, and experience scent through a range of curated events, masterclasses, and creative collaborations,” the company said in a statement.
Jonathan Simon, President of Global Fine Fragrance at DSM-Firmenich, said: "Few cities inspire creativity quite like New York.
“With our new home in Chelsea, we are investing in an environment designed to bring together talent, inspiration and diverse perspectives.
“Rooted in one of the city's most dynamic creative neighbourhoods, this space creates new opportunities for collaboration, dialogue and discovery, enabling our perfumers, clients and partners to shape the future of fine fragrance together.”
The new space incorporates a purpose-built next-generation laboratory, with advanced automation and robotics to enhance efficiency, precision, and safety, as well as Cerberus, a custom-built compounding robot capable of handling up to 456 raw materials.
This new technology is said to significantly expand the lab’s creative output.
Energy-efficient systems, green lab practices, waste reduction measures and smart workstations will also reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability.
The opening of the space, which also includes outdoor terraces and a rooftop garden overlooking Manhattan, builds on DSM-Firmenich’s longstanding presence in the city, said Melanie Duhamel, VP for Fine Fragrance, North America.
"It is a new home not only for our teams, but also for our customers, bringing together perfumery expertise, scientific innovation, and collaboration in an environment that cultivates creation and a forward-thinking vision,” she added.
Meanwhile, a new platform “exploring creativity through conversation, community, and culture” will launch at the location.
‘Open Air: Artists in Resonance’ will bring together DSM-Firmenich perfumers with voices from across New York’s cultural landscape, ranging from food, music, fashion, design, and nightlife, to spirituality and social service.
Participants include a DJ, chef, tattoo artist and designers, members of the voguing community, organisations such as non-profit Housing Works and urban farming organisation Brooklyn Grange, and more.
These collaborations will be interpreted through scent and be presented throughout the new space through fragrance, film, photography, recordings and physical artefacts.
The initiative will also see future exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations across DSM-Firmenich's global creative centres.
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