Wingtip Flagship Store Grand Opening Party in Historic Bank of Italy
Author:Dara KerrYou don’t have to cash a check to gaze at the inside of the historic former Bank of Italy headquarters in San Francisco. This jaw-dropping space has now been transformed into a high-end clothing store called Wingtip, which is celebrating its grand opening Thursday, September 27.
Located in the city’s financial district, this 104-year-old building has remained nearly untouched or redesigned since its construction. The same cream-colored Carrara marble that graced the buildings floors and walls is still there, along with striking solid brass fixtures, old-fashioned vaults, and detailed moldings.
Accessories are laid out on a vintage craps table.
“If you can image the gaudiest thing that a banker in Italy would do, that’s what they did,” said Wingtip founder and CEO Ami Arad in describing the space. “The floor is white marble and there’s gold leaf in the ceiling.”
Wingtip’s belts are not lost on the ostentatious entrance.
Wingtip, formerly known as On The Fly, is a high-end gentlemen’s clothing store, carrying heritage brands and heirloom-quality apparel, accessories, and goods. It opened earlier this month, but is officially kicking off its grand opening on September 27. In addition to selling men’s shoes, clothing, hats, and leather goods, Wingtip also has an old-timey barber station in one of the former bank’s vaults.
The antique barber chair fits right in with the Bank’s decor.
The store will occupy the ground floor and lower level of the building, taking up 6,000-square-feet. Many of the bank’s original details are being used for Wingtip’s display racks. For example, the solid marble check-writing desks showcase leather goods, and the antique vaults house extensive watch, cufflink, and tie collections.
“Everybody that comes in the door is blown away,” Arad said. “It’s such a cool space that we didn’t have to do much, it oozes history and character.”
The majestic polar bear guards the handbags.
Wingtip is located at 550 Montgomery Street in San Francisco and is hosting its grand opening on Thursday, September 27. The store will feature an all-day trunk show from 10am to 6pm with guests that include the founders of Peter Millar, Bill’s Khakis, Agave, and the CEO of Truefitt & Hill.
