Domaine de la Rose in Grasse, France. Photography by Cyrille Weiner…
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A Rose-Hued Villa Takes Root on Lancôme’s Grasse Estate
The verdant hills of Grasse have long charmed fragrance houses into taking up residence in the South of France. The Riviera town’s agreeable climate lends itself well to cultivating the gardens that inform the noses behind today’s top perfumes. For Lancôme, stimulating the senses doesn’t stop at the door: the beauty brand enlisted Nem Architects to create Domaine de la Rose, an aptly named visitor center, events space, perfume distillery, and warehouse. The property, which is pink inside and out, offers sweeping views of the estate’s fragrant greenery. Other buildings on the land were removed to clear sight lines, the most stunning of which is a glass-enclosed passageway that cuts through the center of the villa to reveal the lush vegetation beyond. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
Dry January is impacting the emerging U.S. cannabis market, especially among younger consumers who view marijuana as a healthier alternative to alcohol. Cannabis sellers are targeting January abstainers with products and campaigns, with research indicating that about a third of Americans under 25 participating in the detox use cannabis. In contrast, alcohol sales tend to drop in January, and they reached a post-pandemic low this month at major chains. The shift away from alcohol could pose challenges for the liquor industry, particularly as more states consider legalizing cannabis. (Currently, 24 states and Washington D.C. allow cannabis use.) Edibles are gaining popularity, particularly among those shifting away from alcohol, as the perception of cannabis being less harmful than alcohol grows among younger generations.
A new proposal could see the tallest building in the U.S. rise in Oklahoma City. The Boardwalk at Bricktown, designed by Office AO and developed by Matteson Capital, aims to surpass the height of One World Trade Center to also become the world’s sixth tallest building. The complex, spanning more than three acres with two million square feet, will offer residential, hospitality, retail, and dining spaces, featuring open plazas and four towers, with Legends Tower reaching the record-breaking 1,907 feet tall, signifying Oklahoma’s statehood in 1907.
Rendering of The Frick Collection’s new building. Image courtesy of Selldorf Architects…
The Frick Collection has reached a compromise with residents regarding its plans to serve liquor from bars within its newly renovated museum by Selldorf Architects. Initially, the museum proposed 17 bars, but after objections from the neighborhood, it has agreed to have just 14. These bars will be used for special events and will measure six by six feet, providing more than 204 linear feet of bartending space. Residents had concerns about the proposed hours of operation and the potential for third-party events, but the compromise includes restrictions such as a ban on happy hours. The Frick Collection is set to reopen later this year after a renovation.
Amr al-Madani, the CEO of the Royal Commission of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, has been arrested on corruption charges, raising concerns in the art world as the country is working to transform AlUla into a prominent cultural and tourist destination. AlUla is part of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” plan to develop Saudi Arabia’s arts and culture sector. The region has seen significant investment, including a planned Saudi branch of the Centre Pompidou and the Desert X outdoor sculpture biennial. Al-Madani is accused of benefiting personally from contracts his co-owned company received from a research agency and retaining influence over them after joining AlUla. This arrest follows previous management upheavals in the project.
The U.S. Energy Department has announced new energy efficiency standards for ovens and stoves, with a focus on electric stoves. The primary target is improving the efficiency of electric stoves to use 30 percent less energy than current models; approximately 97 percent of gas stoves already meet the new standards. This move is expected to save Americans $1.6 billion on utility bills over 30 years and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4 million metric tons over the same period. The compliance for newly manufactured models begins in 2028. These standards follow a September 2023 plan that recommended efficiency level standards for household appliances. Last year, there was controversy over suggestions of banning gas stoves due to their link to childhood asthma, but the new standards focus on energy efficiency.
“Rebel” by Jo Fairfax. Image courtesy of Jo Fairfax…
