GALERIES LAFAYETTE
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In 1996 Galeries Lafayette branched out from Paris to Berlin when its first German store was opened on Friedrichstrasse, at the junction with Französische Strasse. The Parisian parent store was quickly proved right in its bold decision to back the development of the new German capital.
After seemingly endless demolition, excavation and construction activity, the old boulevard has finally regained its former lustre. Jean Nouvel’s temple of glass containing Galeries Lafayette was the first perceptible sign of life of the Friedrichstadt Arcades – and an early ray of hope for all the other businesses set to follow.
Much has changed here since then. Applying the maxim “Commerce means change“, above all the range of fashion stocked has become increasingly varied and international.











