Fans of the Swedish furniture giant Ikea will have to wait a bit longer to visit its highly-anticipated flagship store on Oxford Street in London. The store’s opening has been postponed to autumn of next year, citing the need for “optimal preservation” of the Grade II-listed building that was formerly occupied by Topshop.
Originally, the store was set to open this autumn. Once completed, Ikea will occupy a generous 82,000 square feet of retail space, while reserving four floors for office use.
Peter van der Poel, Managing Director of Ingka Investments, the entity that purchased the building for £387 million in 2021, emphasized the need for a delicate balance between modernization and preservation. “When refurbishing this over one hundred-year-old historic landmark, it’s important for us as an investor to treat the building with care and to preserve its characteristics and atmosphere,” he said.
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A New Ikea Experience
Peter Jelkeby, Ikea UK’s chief executive, shared his enthusiasm about the venture. “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Ikea to the heart of London’s vibrant retail scene on Oxford Street. By having a presence at one of the most iconic shopping destinations in the world, we’re taking a significant step forward in our ongoing journey to make it easier to shop with Ikea– whenever, wherever, and however customers choose,” he stated.
The delay is seen as a necessary step to ensure the sustainability and longevity of the retail space. “To ensure all of this, the extensive refurbishment will take more time than initially anticipated,” van der Poel added.
