The century-old Danish luxury audio brand confirmed plans Tuesday to open its largest store in the world this fall in Union Square — a two-level, 5,100-square-foot space that will anchor its West Coast expansion.
The flagship at 146 Geary St., expected to open in November, arrives nearly a decade after the company shuttered its previous outlet in the city’s beleaguered shopping district just a few blocks away at 535 Sutter St.
The new store marks the first of three new California locations for Bang & Olufsen, followed by outposts in West Hollywood and Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center.
The move highlights Union Square’s slow but visible rebound.
“California is a pivotal market for Bang & Olufsen and a vital space for us as a brand,” CEO Kristian Tear said in a statement. “It sits at the heart of the entertainment industry and is home to a vibrant design community.”
Each new location will blend retail and culture, hosting listening events, live performances, artist collaborations and more, the company said.
The San Francisco store aims to evoke “the golden era of record shops,” according to Jean Maraine-Jin, Bang & Olufsen’s West Coast market director. “We want guests to feel at home, whether they’re discovering new music or enjoying timeless favorites through our world-class sound systems.”
The announcement comes as Union Square — long plagued by pandemic-era closures and safety concerns — begins to show new life.
New leases from Rolex, Bulgari, the Nintendo Store, Stephen Curry’s Bourbon Steak, as well as fast fashion giant Zara’s planned four-story flagship on Post Street, are fueling optimism that the city’s premier shopping district is rebounding.