As global gourmet coffee giant Starbucks prepares to open its 20,000th store, the world’s largest coffeehouse corporation finds itself torn between the need to support its hard-earned brand identity and the desire to appeal to local cultures, customs and customers. These 10 international Starbucks outlets manage to satisfy both imperatives while jolting the senses like a triple-shot Venti espresso.
Fuzhou Bistro
(images via: Maison)
One must tread carefully in Fuzhou, at least when it comes to cultural concerns. This ancient southern Chinese city takes pride in its distinct dialect and unique cuisine while taking umbrage at those who ignore history and heritage. Starbucks hears the message, their exquisite new Fuzhou store reflects what they’ve learned.
(images via: Maison)
Designed to echo the classic ambiance of the thousand-year-old Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou, just up the coast, this air conditioned and luxuriously furnished Starbucks respects regional art forms while giving today’s Chinese consumers what they want: an “aspirational” bistro serving up locally-influenced products in upscale surroundings.
Sipping Container
The so-called “Reclamation Drive-Thru” in Tukwila, Washington, takes environmental awareness to the next level. Constructed of four rescued and upcycled steel shipping containers, the outlet only offers drive-thru and walk-up service as there’s only enough space inside to accommodate a trio of baristas, their supplies and equipment.
Green is more than just a paint job at the Reclamation Drive-Thru. Intended to be a showcase of Starbucks’ eco-friendly side, the store was designed along LEED green building standards and boasts integrated rainwater harvesting though we’re not sure the harvested water is used to brew the stores’ coffee.
Branch Office
(images via: Australian Design
Kenny Rogers once said “it’s the wood that makes it good,” Kengo Kuma put that philosophy into effect beautifully at a one-of-a-kind Starbucks store in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Cognizant of the store’s proximity to the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine (established in 919 A.D.), Kuma was determined to put harmony above hucksterism while respecting the varying needs of thirsty shrine visitors.
(image via: Full Insight)
Completed in 2008, the Dazaifu Starbucks offers customers a “fluid, cave-like space” warmed by the presence of some 2,000 wooden sticks woven intricately along the structure’s walls. Lined up end to end, the sticks would stretch 4.4km or 2.735 miles. Subtle lighting and restrained decoration heightens the minimalist feel of the store while reinforcing the Starbucks brand identity through strategically placed signage.
Shanghai Surprise
(images via: Gavinbloys)
The plaza near the 400-year-old Yu Yuan Garden and Shanghai Bazaar offers access to Shanghai’s most popular tourist hotspots and as such, makes an excellent location for a high-volume Starbucks store. Trouble is, the area’s historic architecture would clash unfavorably with that of a standard Starbucks store… or actually, vice-versa. Starbucks’ solution was to camouflage the store as much as possible by incorporating the look of the area’s buildings.
(image via: Explore Beautiful Digital Art/Graphics)
Traveler and photographer Jean-pierre Prieur cleverly captured the understated beauty of this Shanghai Starbucks location, one of almost 700 in China with many more planned. Will it blend? Yes indeed, both when it comes to mixing up a frosty frappuccino or respecting classic Chinese architectural styling.
Turkish Delight
(images via: Starbucks Melody)
The Starbucks store in Ye?ilköy (about 11 miles west of downtown Istanbul) is one of approximately 150 locations in Turkey, all of which both serve and embody a distinct Turkish flavor. On the inside, the stores serve up enticing national specialties such as orange juice fresh squeezed right in the store and “kahve”, a delicious Turkish coffee with rich, chocolaty overtones.
(image via: Starbucks Melody)
The Starbucks in Ye?ilköy looks a lot like the neighboring buildings in this affluent area of Istanbul, which is no accident. Tall picture windows and an intimate balcony overlooking the Sea of Marmara offer a warm, friendly atmosphere conducive to both coffee and conversation. Should you order a Grande Kahve with the works? That’s nobody’s business but the Turks’.
Amster-dam Tasteful
Housed inside a former bank in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, this cool concept Starbucks just HAD to be an architectural knockout: one doesn’t compete lightly when locating a coffeehouse in Amsterdam, after all. Tradition aside, Starbucks was faced with the problem of how to fill a 1,400 square foot former bank vault and give it the warm & cozy ambiance coffeehouse customers demand.
(image via: Decoist)
The store’s design was guided by a hand-picked team led by Dutch-born Concept Design Director Liz Muller, who in turn drafted local artists instructed to use indigenous materials including re-purposed Dutch oak and aged blue & white Delftware tiles. The finishing touch was an undulating ceiling relief formed from 1,876 stained and hand-cut wood blocks which form the face of the iconic Starbucks Siren.
One Night in Bangkok
(images via: Inside Retail Asia and Singha Square)
Local culture isn’t all traditional, as nations around the world express themselves through modernist design. Take the new Starbucks drive-through concept store at Porto Chino in Bangkok.
(image via: Open Rice)
The Porto Chino Starbucks is distinctive without being distracting and as the chain’s sales in Thailand are growing at an annual 20% clip they must be doing something right! Expect to see another 10 to 15 new Starbucks stores opening in the southeast Asian country by the end of this year, bringing the total to over 150.
Hello and Dubai
(images via: DubaiCity and Lloydi)
Dubai has a well-earned reputation for over-the-top architectural excess but the comparatively smaller and more intimate Ibn Battuta Mall exhibits admirable restraint – money well spent, in other words. The mall’s 6 main pavilions are named for countries visited by legendary 14th century traveler Ibn Battuta and inside the Persia Court you’ll find a Starbucks that would knock any medieval Shah right out of his socks.
(image via: 3rab)
The Starbucks kiosk is prominently placed within a jaw-dropping replica of the Shah Mosque of Esfahan, right beneath an exquisitely decorated domed Persian Style ceiling lit by intricately finished lamps and lights. Credit Dubai’s Nakheel Properties with creating the stunning setting, showing they can do much more than simply conjure up the amazing Palm Islands development from the floor of the Persian Gulf.
Cafe Americana
(images via: In Your Head)
A uniquely beautiful Starbucks outlet occupies a former church building in Ketchum, Idaho, just down the road from the skiing mecca of Sun Valley. Imagine kicking back with a hot mug of java on a cold winter night after a day on the slopes of Bald Mountain… better make it a decaf.
(image via: In Your Head)
Displaying “mountain chic” and utilizing abundant natural stone and roughly worked wood in its decor, inside and out, the Ketchum concept Starbucks aims to address considerable trepidation expressed by locals concerned about rising obtrusive commercialization in the valley.
Coffee Float
(images via: Travelvidz, Cruise Fever, Royal Caribbean Intl and Cruise Addicts)
(image via: New Cruise Ships)
Though the cafe isn’t all that special in and of itself, just the fact that it exists to dispense Starbucks sweet treats from the deck of a freakin’ SHIP is very special indeed. On the other hand, vacationers hoping to get away from their “another day, another mall” lifestyle might be chagrined to find a floating replica thereof just steps from their cabin.
(images via: Mike W2007 and NowPublic)
Starbucks’ push into foreign cultures is usually accepted with open arms but sometimes the culture pushes back. Case in point: the ill-advised opening in the year 2000 of a Starbucks inside Beijing’s historic Forbidden City, just a stone’s throw from the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Harmony was not preserved, however, and a well-publicized web campaign to oust the “symbol of America’s low-class food culture” finally bore fruit in 2007. Somewhere, the Last Emperor is smiling… as he gracefully sips his Frappuccino.
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