A breathtaking new design bookstore opened earlier this month in the very heart of Bucharest, Romania. Cărtureşti Carusel, also called “The Carousel of Light”, is a monumental XIX century edifice that was once known as the Chrissoveloni bank, named after its owner, has now been transformed into a wonderful architectural jewel. The great-grandson of the banker, Jen Chrissoveloni, created an incredible starting point for the retail project, by investing more than 1 million euros in the renovation and leased it to the Cărtureşti bookstore chain. The company itself added an additional 400 000 euros in designing and equipping the store, resulting in one of largest and most spectacular retail investments the town has seen.
Spread among its 1 000 sq.m (10 760 sq. ft), the design bookstore is well organized into six separated floors, hosting more than 10 000 books, music, a bistro, a media room and a contemporary art gallery. All this merging into the hottest social and event point in town.
The whole project was managed by the Bucharest based studio Square One: ‘Our idea of restoring focussed somewhere between old and new. Using a contemporary language, we minimised the chromatic elements in order to make room for the play of lights and shadows generated by the central skylight. The sinuous shape of the floors creates a dynamic atmosphere similar to a moving carousel’, architects from Square One said.
The magical spiral staircases, the incredible height of the space, the elegant use of white and wood are only some of the astonishing details of the space that capture the attention: ‘It is both a destination and a starting point, including for us. When you enter the carousel, after the innocent amazement caused by the characteristics of this impressive building, you do not rest, you seek to rummage, being carried away by your own steps, while your ideas are flowing. We can not fail to take advantage of all this energy, something really memorable needs to happen here’, the manager of the bookstore said.
If you happen to be in Bucharest or simply passing by 55 Lipscani street, don’t hesitated to visit Cărtureşti Carusel for a cup of coffee and a great book.
