World’s most beautiful commercial stores of 2026 selected by Prix Versailles

The Prix Versailles has unveiled its list of the world’s most beautiful emporiums for 2026. The list of seven emporiums “draw from the foundations of their brand’s history and culture, and from the emotions and expertise that, in dialogue with the environment all around them, have turned these places into hot spots for creation and inspiration,” according to Prix Versailles Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain.

In December, three projects from the list will be given additional titles of a World Title – Prix Versailles, Interior, or Exterior. The unveiling of the emporium shortlist comes shortly after the organization chose its shortlist for restaurants, hotels, airports, and museums. 

Below, we have published the seven projects comprising the World's Most Beautiful Emporium list 2026. You can compare the projects with those of previous years by following our ongoing coverage of the series here.

House of Dior in Beijing, China by Christian de Portzamparc

Project excerpt: Inspired by the movement of the toile fabric that the great couturier would cut for his gowns, the façade is garbed in petal-shaped shells that hold up the roof like so many caryatids. In an unexpected gesture, hand-crafted golden glass tiles are scattered throughout, in a subtle nod to the cultural and historical ties that bind the House to China. A monumental spiral staircase leads to the five storeys where the different worlds of Dior unfold under soft lighting, from leather goods to jewellery by way of perfume and ready-to-wear.

RH Champs-Élysées in Paris, France by Foster + Partners

Project excerpt: Just inside the medallion doors marking the entrance, a bronze caryatid greets visitors in the middle of a soaring atrium, from which sumptuous staircases and an improbable, retractable elevator lead to an art gallery, a glass-walled restaurant and a rooftop terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and the Louvre. This resonates with the rest of the cultural place, which is also home to a library that features extremely precious books, including an edition of De architectura by Vitruvius, printed around 1521.

Saint Laurent Montaigne in Paris, France by Anthony Vaccarello

Project excerpt: Spanning three levels, the emporium unfolds as a series of rooms, each with its own unique atmosphere. Open, intimate or almost gallery-like, the spaces are designed to create a fluid journey while maintaining a strong sense of architectural coherence. The site’s original features have been preserved and reinterpreted. In combination with refined interventions juxtaposed with rough materials, they establish a balance between authenticity and sophistication. The furniture and collectible design pieces – such as a pair of Süe & Mare armchairs and a daybed by Paul Poiret for Atelier Martine – are key elements of the overall plan. Works from the Pinault Collection, including a previously unseen piece by Mark Bradford, further echo the House’s longstanding commitment to creativity.

Tiffany & Co. Ginza in Tokyo, Japan by Peter Marino Architects, Kimiko Fujimura, Jun Aoki, Hugh Dutton

Project excerpt: With its 66 metre height and its iconic blue colour, Tiffany & Co. is one of the most re- markable towers in Tokyo’s chic Ginza district. With its wave-like glass façade by Jun Aoki and immersive window displays created in collaboration with Kimiko Fujimura, the emporium sets the tone – or rather the ambiance – in an extraordinary blend of Japanese culture and the House’s almost 200 years of history. The interior design, crafted by Peter Marino Architects with the teams at Tiffany, is the latest to date, largely inspired by The Landmark, the brand’s emblematic Fifth Avenue address in New York. A skylight, devised by Hugh Dutton, sparkles while revealing subtle reflections as viewers move beneath it, expressing the rich spectral complexity of the light we enjoy in jewellery. In the staircase, digital screens depict the lush greenery of Ninomaru Garden, celebrating Tokyo’s landscapes and serving as a window into nature.

Cartier in Miami, United States by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Project excerpt: In the heart of Design District, Cartier unveils its iconic creations in a stunning setting, with an exterior created by Elizabeth Diller (Diller Scofidio + Renfro). Expanded and reinvented, the shop stands out for its bulbous wraparound façade. Delicately etched on its glass surface, a pattern inspired by a 1909 brooch endows the building with a presence that is both luminous and enigmatic, providing glimpses of the interior while preserving its mystique. Divided between two largely open levels, the space was outfitted by decorator Laura Gonzalez as an immersion into the natural landscape of Miami. Soft pink and blue tones, organic shapes, rippling walls and plant-based details combine to form a refined world characterised by a harmonious dialogue between nature and craftsmanship. An elegant staircase made of camellia green marble is set against a bright, colourful mural depicting coral, palm trees and the local skyline.

House of Dior in Beverly Hills, United States by Peter Marino Architects

Project excerpt: Since 1990, the House of Dior has maintained a special connection with Beverly Hills on its legendary Rodeo Drive. And this new location is no exception, designed by Peter Marino Architects in conjunction with landscape architect Peter Wirtz, to be a “realm of dreams”. The theme of plants, which was so dear to Christian Dior, sets the tone for the whole project. The undulating limestone and stucco façade, evocative of fashion and drapery, leads to a central garden alongside a sculptural staircase. Architecturally speaking, the garden provides light and visual depth, creates a gentle transition from the urban exterior to the refined interior, and transforms the shopping experience into an almost museum-like outing. Moreover, the collections are showcased amongst remarkable works of art, in a celebration of Dior’s timeless legacy.

Issey Miyake in New York, United States by Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu

Project excerpt: On the ground floor of the iconic New York Life Building designed by Cass Gilbert in 1928, the new Issey Miyake flagship melds Japanese minimalism with American extravagance. The New York-based architecture firm, Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu, has established a thoughtful dialogue here between innovation, craftsmanship and architectural heritage. Elements of the historic structure have been intentionally exposed and complemented by new aluminium and stainless steel surfaces, creating an elegant balance between industrial rawness and contemporary refinement. Expansive windows along three sides of the store flood the space with natural light, connecting it to the surrounding architectural landscape. At its centre stands a monumental, transparent staircase, constructed from structural glass to underscore the clarity and exceptional precision of the project as a whole.