The reimagination of L.L.Bean’s historic Freeport, Maine flagship store and campus is underway, with WBRC serving as the Architect and Engineer of Record. While the store has undergone a number of renovations over the years, the current work promises to enhance the visitor experience in more ways than ever before.
The project includes a new main entrance adjacent to Discovery Park, which is being expanded to bring more green space to campus and to allow L.L.Bean the opportunity for more outdoor programming. Inside, a more dynamic flagship store will better demonstrate L.L.Bean’s purpose; enabling customers to experience the restorative benefits of being outside. With the Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) framed addition, L.L.Bean’s new 155,000 square foot store will have a more open retail area to display the brand’s iconic footwear and outdoor gear.
The store will be home to a large new fishpond with multiple tiers for better fish watching, and a new stream tank with two ‘viewing bubbles’ to check out schools of fish swimming by. The kid’s department is being remodeled to include all sorts of fun installations for everyone to explore, while a new in-store eatery will allow customers to take a break from all that play for a bite to eat. The reimagining of the flagship store will create a more intuitive customer journey, while enhancing employee spaces and other amenities that have been designed to create a best-in-class retail experience.
L.L.Bean’s Flagship Store in Freeport is the second-most visited tourist destination in Maine, surpassed only by Acadia National Park. The renovation and addition are designed to highlight the iconic brand and honor the legacy of the Bean family. The company is investing $50 million in the renewal, and the store’s tradition of being open 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week will continue throughout construction. The flagship campus project is a reaffirmation of L.L.Bean’s commitment to its customers, employees, the Town of Freeport, and the people of Maine.