Gjergji Shkurti blends bar, retail and hi-fi at Million Goods in Brooklyn

Architect Gjergji Shkurti has completed the interior of concept shop Million Goods in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, designing a space that transitions visitors from a cocktail bar through curated retail into a high-end listening room. The project occupies a historic storefront on DeKalb Street, where a glossy red spiral staircase immediately catches the eye from the sidewalk.

The design strategy hinges on a clear spatial progression. Guests enter through a bar area, move into a retail zone featuring select furniture and objects, and finally reach a hi-fi listening room at the rear. This sequence allows the 1,500-square-foot interior to function as both a commercial space and a social destination, a model increasingly common in contemporary retail.

Key facts

Materiality and custom elements

Shkurti specified a restrained palette dominated by marble, custom millwork and curated furniture pieces. The marble appears on the bar counter and select surfaces, providing a cool, tactile contrast to the warm wood of the millwork. The custom joinery is designed to display retail goods while also defining circulation paths and seating areas.

The red spiral staircase is the interior’s most dramatic gesture. It is positioned near the front windows, making it visible from the street and serving as an invitation to passersby. The glossy finish reflects light from the storefront, creating a shifting visual effect throughout the day.

Curated furniture and hi-fi experience

The retail component features furniture and objects selected by Million Goods, a concept shop known for blending design, art and lifestyle products. Shkurti’s interior provides a neutral but textured backdrop that lets the merchandise stand out while maintaining a cohesive atmosphere.

The hi-fi listening room at the back is a dedicated space for high-quality audio. It is furnished with comfortable seating and acoustically treated surfaces, allowing customers to experience sound in a controlled environment. This room anchors the retail experience, encouraging visitors to linger and engage with products on a sensory level.

Context and relevance

Million Goods’ Brooklyn location reflects a broader trend in retail design where physical stores are conceived as destinations rather than mere points of sale. By integrating a bar and a listening room, the shop offers experiences that cannot be replicated online. For architects and designers, the project demonstrates how spatial sequencing and material choices can shape customer behavior and brand identity.

The use of a historic storefront also raises considerations about adaptive reuse. Shkurti’s intervention respects the existing shell while inserting a contemporary program, a balance that is relevant for practitioners working in dense urban environments like New York.

Source: Dezeen – https://www.dezeen.com/2026/09/25/gjergji-shkurti-million-goods-ft-green/