Modern spectacle maker Cubitts has announced the launch of its latest store in the heart of Broadway Market’s community in London’s Hackney on 11 May.
Housed in Grade II listed former beloved eel, pie and mash shop, F. Cooke and Sons, the store pays homage to the rich local history of the mid-century terraced building and the wider East London community.
Partnering with local architecture and design practice, EBBA to capture the intricate nuances of its former home, the store retains the original features fitted in the 1930s including glazed white and cream tiles with mirror panels, terrazzo floors and walls, stained glass windows and its tiled counter with the marble countertop and shelves that were originally used to display fresh eels on ice. A selection of objects from the F. Cooke archives are also displayed in the store.
Benni Allan, Founding Director EBBA Architects said: “We have worked carefully to develop a design that celebrates the historic qualities of Cubitts’ new site on Broadway Market. The features of the Grade II Listed interior – which was once used as a pie shop – helped to establish the overall concept and a material palette of tiles and rich timber joinery. Informing the layout of a new series of displays, we sought to integrate the original marble tables in a subtle yet innovative way that feels purposeful. New joinery and bespoke shelving add a contemporary feel, with a nod to early modern detailing. Altogether, we have tried to achieve a fresh yet elegant feel that aligns with the brand’s ambitions as well as being respectful of the history of the site and its unique character.”
