After a nearly nine-year hiatus at Waterside Shops, an Hermès store has returned to the luxury open-air mall in Naples.  

Hermès Naples opened Feb. 17 in a new freestanding store built on Waterside Shops’ eastern edge, the spot where Ralph Lauren operated for years before moving in 2021 to a new location within the center. Hermès previously had a franchise store at Waterside until March 2014. The new store — Hermès’ fifth in Florida and its 33rd in the nation — represents the French luxury design house’s commitment to the American market and, more specifically, the diverse clientele of South Florida, the company reports.  

The Paris-based manufacturer and retailer of high-fashion luxury items, such as its exclusive Birkin bags, specializes in leather goods, home furnishings, jewelry, perfume, scarves, neckties and other hand-made products, clothing and accessories.   

Specially designed for Waterside Shops, Hermès’ more modern façade replaces the stately columns that supported Ralph Lauren’s wraparound porch. Envisioned as a tropical pavilion, the new store includes tropical plants and a 550-foot-long, hand-laid rock wall punctuated by cascading water. It also features the creativity of Hermès’ 16 artisanal métiers, whose collections decorate its 300 stores in 45 countries in the world. Designed by the Parisian architecture agency RDAI, the store reflects Naples’ fusion of intimacy, tropical relaxation and lightness emphasized by sandblasted cherrywood, stucco and a patina wave treatment on the walls. The all-white exterior is lined with tall, deep windows that illuminate the iconography of the interiors with bright, natural light, connecting elements from the local landscape of sun, sand and sea and creating a feeling of optimism and warmth. A pastel palette of ochre, green and ivory is woven into custom gradient carpets inspired by local artist Jen Stark, as well as the marble chips in the terrazzo floors, the company reports.  

“Upon entering, customers encounter the colorful women’s and men’s silk collections. Continuing straight on, the objects for the home lead to the equestrian universe, where a seating area encourages guests to feel at home. On the right side of the store, visitors will find perfume and beauty métiers and fashion jewelry. To the left, the worlds of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear surround a large, central shoe salon. A niche devoted to leather goods is enclosed by curved walls, while another intimate cove is dedicated to jewelry and watches,” according to a company news release.   

Hermès Naples at 5355 Tamiami Trail N. is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and closed Monday.