Downtown Design
redazione 29/05/2025

Poltrona Frau opens in Riyadh

First monobrand store in the Saudi capital marks strategic move in a rapidly evolving market

Poltrona Frau is expanding its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first monobrand store in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The new retail space, developed in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim, is part of the brand’s broader international expansion strategy aimed at strengthening its position in global markets while maintaining alignment with its core identity.

Poltrona Frau store, Riyadh

This opening marks a significant step in the brand’s growth path. «Following three major openings this year in Asia (Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok) and South America (São Paulo), we now view the Middle East as a key region for our future development», said Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau. «This new store allows us to reinforce our presence in a market increasingly aligned with our values of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. It also offers an opportunity to expand our residential business and meet rising demand in the contract sector. Through our Custom Interiors Business Unit, we provide tailored solutions for high-profile projects in hospitality, public spaces, and corporate environments—always with the same commitment to quality and design, supported by a structured industrial approach».

The Riyadh store is located inside Centria Mall and was designed by AMDL CIRCLE, the studio led by Michele De Lucchi. The space is laid out as a sequence of rooms connected by glass and aluminum passages, echoing a domestic setting. Materials, colors, and surfaces are selected to encourage direct interaction with the products. The display combines historical pieces such as the 1919 armchair and Vanity Fair XC with newer designs by Jean-Marie Massaud, Faye Toogood, Draga&Aurel, and Sebastian Herkner. A dedicated material library completes the layout, offering samples for tactile exploration and creative pairing. The setup supports customization and informed decision-making by visitors.

The collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim, launched in 2023, has played a key role in Poltrona Frau’s regional growth. The partnership is rooted in a shared vision: to develop an offering that resonates with local expectations and strengthens brand presence. As Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, explained, «Poltrona Frau represents excellence in craftsmanship, design, and timeless luxury—values that strongly align with the preferences of our customers in Saudi Arabia».

Our latest stories

In Paris, design travels through time
Minutes icon
2 minutes

In Paris, design travels through time

Design Miami/Paris returns for its fourth year to L’Hôtel de Maisons with its largest program to date. 31 galleries and over 20 monumental installations create a dialogue between historic design and the avant-garde, featuring works that span 140 years of creativity

Agenda
Margraf: 120 years of the future
Minutes icon
2 minutes

Margraf: 120 years of the future

Roberto Xompero, CEO of Margraf, reflects on the company's 120 years. It's a legacy that looks to the future through innovation, design, and sustainability, transforming stone into a design material capable of speaking an ever-contemporary language

Design
24 hours in the Greek islands
Minutes icon
9 minutes

24 hours in the Greek islands

As autumn begins, summer nostalgia starts to set in. The antidote could be an immersion in the contemporary art circuit on the Greek islands. A slow-paced journey through the exhibitions of Hydra, Andros, and Chios, for a profound experience far from the urban chaos

Design
Rivolta Carmignani at home
Minutes icon
1 minute

Rivolta Carmignani at home

In Milan’s Porta Venezia district, a new space designed by Galli Cavalcabò interprets the brand’s textile savoir-faire through a concept inspired by the intimacy of home

Retail
UNIQLO: a place to pause by Desalto
Minutes icon
1 minute

UNIQLO: a place to pause by Desalto

The Unlimited seating system and Mini Clay side table furnish a reading and relaxation area at UNIQLO’s Piazza Cordusio store in Milan, bringing Italian design into dialogue with Japanese fashion

Design
The three dimensions of surfaces
Minutes icon
1 minute

The three dimensions of surfaces

Renowned for its ability to create organic shapes for walls and ceilings, the Wood-Skin® platform evolves into Presentform, a new starting point for shaping space

Design