The outdoors-oriented retailer L.L. Bean is planning to unveil its $50 million renovation of its flagship store and campus in coastal Maine later this year with upgrades that include a new main entrance, a larger fishpond and more green space.
L.L. Bean opened its first store in Freeport, Maine, more than a century ago. Now its flagship store in Freeport is the second-most visited tourist destination in Maine, drawing about 3 million visitors per year, according to WBRC, the architecture firm that designed the renovation of the store and campus. The Freeport store is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
The new entrance constructed from mass timber beams and poles is located next to Discovery Park, an outdoor plaza, that WBRC says will allow L.L. Bean “to bring more green space to campus and to allow L.L. Bean the opportunity for more outdoor programming.”
Upon completion, the 155,000-square-foot renovated building, will have a larger interior open space for displaying clothing, shoes and outdoor gear, a larger fishpond and a “new stream tank with two viewing bubbles” so visitors can see schools of fish swimming, WBRC said on its website. The renovation is expected to include adding a new restaurant.
The flagship store is located nearby to L.L. Bean's new headquarters that opened in 2023 at 15 Casco St. L.L. Bean operates 68 stores in 19 states across the United States and is planning to open eight locations this year, according to the company.
The revamp of the flagship store in Freeport is expected to deploy mass timber more extensively as structural support with a larger open retail area to showcase the brand’s iconic footwear and outdoor gear. Mass timber is a specially treated wood product that is strong enough to be used for load-bearing support in structures.
The material has grown in popularity in recent years because wood is a renewable resource, unlike steel and concrete, and reduces construction time, makes for quieter construction sites and creates an atmosphere of warm surroundings, according to Kirksey, a Houston-based architecture firm. Kirksey is not involved in the L.L. Bean renovation but has completed numerous projects nationwide for a variety of property types that use mass timber components.
WBRC, based in Bangor, Maine, has performed architecture work for several retail clients, including Bealls discount clothing stores, Bangor Savings Bank and Save-A-Lot supermarkets in Florida.
For the record
WBRC is architect of record and is providing engineering services. Arrowstreet is design consultant. Sebago Technics is the landscape architect and civil engineer. Zachau Construction is the general contractor.