Back in 2025, GMS served as the structural engineer for two SKIMS flagship projects in New York City and Los Angeles, supporting the brand’s expansion into iconic retail destinations on both coasts.
In New York City, the new three-story, 6,570-square-foot flagship store is located within a landmark building on Fifth Avenue, establishing a bold physical presence in the heart of Manhattan. RDC served as the Architect of Record for SKIMS’ first flagship store, working closely with GMS to bring the brand’s vision to life at this prominent location. GMS provided structural engineering services that included assistance with the structural detailing for ceilings and soffits, non-bearing interior partitions, framing modifications to the existing floor deck, and new mechanical units. Luminous fitting rooms with wraparound mirrors and soft lighting create a positive, confidence-boosting environment for shoppers. The space embodies SKIMS’ commitment to a refined design and elevates the in-store retail experience.
Following the opening of the New York flagship, SKIMS launched an additional flagship location in Los Angeles. Designed by Rafael de Cardenas, Ltd., GMS once again provided structural engineering services for the 4,546-square-foot flagship store in West Hollywood, California. The project involved extensive structural modifications to the existing building, including shoring design; assistance with the demolition of the existing mezzanine, stairs, and elevator; seismic lateral bracing for the new 25-foot-tall storefront; seismic bracing details for ceilings and soffits, a new strongback wall to support laterally the taller back wall of the building after the demolition of the mezzanine level, removing an existing column to provide the store with a span of over 70 feet clear of columns; framing for non-bearing interior partitions and the existing roof deck; and structural support for new MEP equipment.
At the end of 2025, the SKIMS Los Angeles flagship was recognized as Best Small Project, Southern California by Engineering News-Record. The project builds on the success of SKIMS’ New York flagship, which received the 2025 Retail Renovation of the Year award from VMSD Magazine.
Together, these two flagship projects reflect SKIMS’ dedication to thoughtful, immersive retail environments while highlighting GMS’s expertise in delivering complex structural solutions within architecturally significant and high-profile spaces.