What's the Matter with IKEA?

The Blogsphere is up in arms about the demolition of five historic structures in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn to make way for an IKEA parking lot. Yes, a parking lot. In an odd public relations move that has the Swedish furniture manufacturer/retailer aping for Wal-Mart's urban public approval, this move is reminiscent of 2003's news that IKEA wanted to demolish a Marcel Breuer building in New Haven, Connecticut.



But this time no compromise appears to be in site as the wrecking ball has already completed the demolition of one structure dating from the Civil War.





Image from Lex's Folly



I'll admit that my apartment is populated with a lot of IKEA-ware, but I purchased all of it from one of their suburban locations, where the big box format was born - and needs to stay. IKEA tried to move into Chicago a few years back, but the City didn't want them, mainly because of the traffic they would create. Ironically they would have moved down the street from a Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Container Store, Whole Foods, and many other large retailers that are patronized by people in cars. Witness the ocean of parking lots nearby the proposed location at North & Clybourn.



Entities like IKEA need to adapt their formulas to the urban fabric, something that IKEA and Wal-Mart seem unwilling to do. Home Depot did just that on Halsted Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, as seen below. Best Buy moved into a new development on Clark, also in Lincoln Park, living below apartments and next to a retirement community.





More images like this here



It is possible to integrate, for the benefit of the city, the residents, and the retailers; something IKEA should keep in mind.