Glasswerks supplied precision-fabricated architectural glass for the reimagined Cartier boutique at South Coast Plaza, one of the most celebrated luxury retail openings in Southern California.
Luxury in Every Layer
When Cartier unveiled its reimagined flagship at South Coast Plaza in April 2024, it marked one of the most significant boutique transformations in the shopping center’s history. Spanning 8,182 square feet across two combined lease spaces, the newly expanded Costa Mesa boutique was designed to feel like an extension of the Southern California landscape itself — from the shimmering coastlines of Laguna and Newport to the sun-baked expanses of the Mojave.
Creative direction for the boutique’s design was led by Moinard Betaille agency, who drew inspiration from Orange County’s diverse natural landscape. Dickinson Cameron Construction managed the build-out as the general contractor, with SoCal Windows & Glazing handling all facade glazing installation.
Glasswerks was selected to supply the specialty glass for the boutique’s exterior facade — a high-visibility scope on one of the most-watched luxury retail openings in Southern California that year.
Our Scope of Work
The Cartier South Coast Plaza facade demanded materials that could hold their own against the Maison’s exacting visual standards. Glasswerks fabricated and supplied two key systems for the storefront:
Cartier Exclusive Gold Mesh Laminated Glass
The signature element of the facade is a custom laminated glass incorporating Cartier’s proprietary Gold Mesh interlayer, fabricated with Vitro’s Starphire Ultra-Clear glass. Starphire’s exceptionally low iron content eliminates the greenish tint common in standard float glass, producing a water-clear surface that allows the warmth and fine detail of the Gold Mesh to read with full fidelity. This material is exclusive to Cartier’s brand standards and required close coordination to achieve consistent lamination quality across all panels.
Storefront Vision Glass
Glasswerks also supplied the storefront glazing panels in Starphire, ensuring the ultra-clear aesthetic carried uniformly across the full facade. The result is a facade where transparency and warmth work together — drawing the eye in without competing with the jewelry and displays inside.
“A facade like this is a first impression that never ends. Supplying glass for Cartier means holding yourself to a standard that matches theirs — and we’re glad the work reflects that.”
Project Team
- Owner: Cartier
- Interior Designer: Moinard Betaille Agency
- General Contractor: Dickinson Cameron Construction
- Glazing Contractor: SoCal Windows & Glazing
- Glass Vendor: Vitro Architectural Glass
- Glass Fabricator: Glasswerks
