Ilori Says 'Eye Do' to Robertson and Rodeo
Robertson Boulevard’s next luxury shop will buck the street’s latest trends. Instead of a premium-denim boutique or a national fashion company’s branded shop, the latest tenant on this chic retail street will be a European eyewear store.
Ilori, a new retail concept by Italian eyewear giant Luxottica Group, recently signed a 10-year lease for the 1,300-square-foot space at 140 S. Robertson Blvd. The eyewear store, which will offer expensive luxury glasses, will move into the space currently occupied by veteran Robertson fashion boutique Horn.
The deal was handled by Matthew M. May of May Realty Advisors and Michael Townsend of Townsend & Associates Inc. Ilori will reportedly open its doors on Robertson some time after May 2008.
However, Los Angeles shoppers might be seeing double when it comes toluxury eyewear marts. Ilori also took commercial space at 366 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Dembo & Associates handled the deal for the eyewear retailer’s 1,850-square-foot space on Rodeo.
Ilori might find some competition on Robertson. The street also happens to be the home of two other eyewear emporiums: C By Karina and Optx.
Ilori bought out the remainder of its Robertson store lease from Horn owner Susanne Zenker, a pioneer on the street who arrived in 1998. That was two years before Kitson, one of the street’s most powerful retailers, opened its first space. Kitson currently runs four boutiques on the street.
Zenker believes her departure represents a changing of the guard on the street. “We used to sell $5,000 Blumarine gowns all of the time. Now it’s more casual. This neighborhood has changed,” she said.She plans to relocate Horn to another part of Los Angeles in 2008.
The street might continue to evolve as more high-profile tenants eye real estate for branded stores. Premium-denim label Rock & Republic has reportedly been looking for space on Robertson. Other big names said to be driving around the block scouting the street include Dolce & Gabbana; Ralph Lauren; and Los Angeles–based knitwear label Vince, which is owned by the Kellwood Co. Representatives for these companies did not return phone calls to comment on possible moves to Robertson.—Andrew Asch
