Rivian Launches ‘Spaces’ to Bring a New Automotive Retail Experience to Cities Across North America
POSTED
JUNE 15, 2023
POSTED
JUNE 15, 2023
New York, New York, June 15, 2023: U.S. automaker Rivian is launching spaces, a collection of temporary and permanent retail and experiential centers*, starting with a space in New York City’s Meatpacking District, opening June 16th at 60 10th Avenue. The introduction of Rivian spaces will serve as an opportunity for the brand to grow and connect with current and future Rivian vehicle owners in key locations while aiming to inspire and enable adventure for all.
The Meatpacking District space is located just under the High Line. The floor-to-ceiling glass storefront space is the company’s first location on the East Coast, joining Rivian’s space in Venice, California. The space is 5,000 square feet and designed with an intentionally light-build approach, showcasing the company’s flagship consumer vehicles, the all-electric R1T and R1S, while offering product education and community programming. The 10th Avenue location will serve as a bridge to Rivian’s permanent spaces including an upcoming space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
“The launch of Rivian spaces is a key part of our next phase of growth, introducing retail sites as a primary experiential touchpoint and bringing the brand to life through an in-store experience,” said Tony Caravano, Senior Director of Customer Engagement at Rivian. “By planting roots in key areas across North America, we are building out our brick-and-mortar footprint to support current, future and prospective customers, meeting them where they are and showing up in a way that is authentic to Rivian.”
Setting the tone for future Rivian spaces, the New York City space is designed as a family-friendly environment for guests to interact with and drive Rivian vehicles, speak with Experience Specialists and shop Rivian merchandise. Interactive informational displays inviting guests to add tips about local travel destinations are completed by vintage furnishings and product displays made of diverted ocean-bound plastics from Rivian’s factory in Normal, IL while greenery throughout takes cues from the High Line which is just a few feet away.
“Rivian spaces are purposefully designed to be casual and inviting, where anyone who is curious is welcome to come in to learn more about us and our products,” said Denise Cherry, Senior Director of Facilities Design and Retail Development at Rivian. “We've peeled away the formality that can be associated with automotive retail and focused on creating a relaxed, family-friendly environment that invites guests to stay awhile and discover at their own pace. Our spaces are designed around the question of 'Where do you want to go?,’ highlighting the experiences Rivian vehicles enable people to have and inspiring them in the process.”
Rivian plans to expand its retail footprint throughout 2023 and 2024 with the introduction of different spaces formats, ranging from product-focused experience sites, like 10th Avenue in New York, to more unique locations, like a former historic gas station turned Rivian Charging Outpost in Groveland, CA, a gateway town to Yosemite National Park.
Additional upcoming Rivian spaces include the South Coast Theater, a previous cinema situated on Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Laguna Beach, CA and an indoor-outdoor 10,000-square-foot site in Austin, TX complete with a green space, rooftop patio with panoramic views of the city, and direct access to the Lady Bird Lake biking and running trail in the city’s South Congress district. Select spaces will feature Rivian electric vehicle chargers, like the Charging Outpost, which will offer a restorative retail destination in combination with a Rivian Adventure Network DC fast-charging site.
Since the unveiling of Rivian’s first space in October of 2021 in Venice Beach, California, Rivian has recognized the powerful impact its physical sites can have on the local community by supporting events such as speaker series, children’s activities, and dog adoptions. The locations will remain as everyday spaces meant to educate people about Rivian’s brand, products, and values, with the mission to bring an appreciation of nature to urban centers.
Rivian spaces join the company’s growing network of over two dozen service centers across the U.S. and Canada, working hand-in-hand to provide a complete ecosystem of support and service for existing, future, and potential Rivian owners.
*Retail vehicle sales and marketing activity will depend on state and local regulations for each location.
About Rivian:
Rivian exists to create products and services that help our planet transition to carbon neutral energy and transportation. Rivian designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships. Learn more about the company, products, and careers at www.rivian.com.
Contact:
media@rivian.com