Selfridges International Services by Waldo Works

Selfridges opens a new Customer Services space catering to the needs of tax-free shopping customers. Selfridges’ international business has grown consistently over previous years and the new space is set to accommodate future growth whilst delivering an extraordinary customer experience. The new Customer Services, relocated from Selfridges’ flagship store’s lower-ground floor to the fourth floor, is now more than three times the size of it’s previous setting, spreading across 1,500sqm.

Designed by London-based studio Waldo Works, the space houses the new Tax Refund Lounge, two Tax Free Halls, and several VIP areas accommodating the requirements of high-net-wroth individuals, VIP’s and visiting shopping tour groups. It also offers customers the benefits of a Quiet Room, two library areas, a Refreshment Room and a Mac Bar where customers are able to go online to do further shopping, view their emails, etc. The extended Customer Services space now also includes, for the first time, an unadorned Faith Room where customers of any faith can go and quietly worship or meditate. Also new to Selfridges is the Theatre desk, operated by Time Out, from which customers can book anything from a show to a whole day or evening out.

Set above the iconic Queen of Time clock store’s central historic canopy entrance, the new Customer Services is an exceptional example of Selfridges’ commitment to developing new shopping and service spaces, whilst demonstrating outstanding commitment to preserving and restoring the grandeur and original features of the iconic neo-classical building.

Waldo Works have instilled a heightened sense of cool luxury within the new department. The refurbished work has reinstated the architectural infrastructure, and within this, created a series of wide-opened halls which amplified the grand scale of the space.

In the early 1900s when Selfridges opened, the era was marked by a golden age of travel and a growing opulence influenced the way public and private buildings were designed. Waldo Works drew inspiration from that era and references from elegant waiting rooms and early airline interiors, were used throughout, including bold design cues evacuating exotic travel. The new Customer Services Space’ overall style was also inspired by the fashionable Palm Court restaurant, famously Selfridges’ first ever restaurant, renown for its lush tropical decor, partly destroyed by fire in the 1940s.

The new architectural treatment opens up window, reinstates the historical mouldings and columns, and created a series of ‘Selfridges’ rooms, each with their own particular character. The floor is in black and white geometric marble pattern, changing through each space whilst wall panelling includes hand painted exotic garden scenes printed on large glass panes. Simply extraordinary.