Playboy Enterprises International Inc - Farringdon, London - Office Refit
The first issue of Playboy magazine, which featured the now famous photo set of Marilyn Monroe, was produced on Hugh Hefner’s kitchen table in 1953. On the news stands that December, it carried no cover date because Hefner was not sure when, or even if, he would be able to produce another.
The first issue sold more than 50,000 copies, enough to pay for the paper and printing costs, and with enough left over to finance a second issue. Today, the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy is a man who has profoundly influenced society in the last 50 years, during which time his publication has become the world's best-selling men’s lifestyle magazine.
The global organisation has developed into a multi-faceted operation that handles publishing, entertainment and licensing. This includes eight freestanding fashion boutiques and location-based entertainment destinations in Las Vegas (2006) and Macao (2009). Add to these initiatives a $20 million dollar philanthropic organisation – The Playboy Foundation – and you can see why Playboy is now one of the most powerful brands in the world.
A Refurbishment and Fit out Project
Cameron Barclay was chosen to refurbish and fit out the new Playboy Enterprises International, Inc. European representative offices in Farringdon, London. Following successful building-control applications, and a landlord’s licence to alter, the work began.
The project consisted of constructing both solid and glazed partitions, re-wiring a data and communications network to Cat5e, supplying and installing telephone and intruder alarm systems, as well as ceilings, lighting, plumbing and decoration. Playboy was so impressed with the results and quality of service that they introduced Cameron Barclay to its retail partner for whom they refurbished playboy’s Flagship Store in the UK and their first fashion boutique in Europe.
"I was introduced to Cameron Barclay by one of our suppliers who had worked with them before, so they came highly recommended. This particular project was ‘fast-tracked’ but achievable, providing that everything went according to plan. On a construction project this is highly unlikely in my experience; problems are normally used by the contractor to support reasons for late delivery.
In Cameron Barclay’s case, I was impressed with their attitude in that all hiccoughs or necessary changes due to unearthing something unforeseen were not communicated to me until a solution had been identified. The team was highly skilled and very pleasant to work with, and the overall project came in on time and within budget.
I recommended Cameron Barclay to our retail partner, Global Designer Brands Ltd., for consideration when choosing the contractor to complete the refurbishment and fit out of our first European and UK flagship retail experience on Oxford Street Store.
Markus Grindel – Senior Vice President, Marketing Director, International Publishing – Playboy Enterprises International, Inc.
