Rivian, the electric car maker opened its first reimagined retail space in New York City’s Meatpacking District, transforming a street-level space into a boutique with the feel of a reading room and a play space, for kids and adults alike. Buyers can shop for a car, immerse in the Rivian lifestyle or just browse the brand and become more familiar with it. Rivian brought a new approach to the showroom idea from the very beginning, starting with its flagship space in Venice, California, as well a repurposing a theater in Laguna Beach, California and a gas station near Yosemite. Originally, Rivian showrooms, with the R1S and R1T center stage, allowed customers to explore the vehicles, accessories, merchandise and related lifestyle elements in a leisurely way. So the company took a new approach to how its spaces would embody that mission and redesigned a new flagship, the Rivian Space in NYC. In addition to books and guides intended to inspire journeys, Rivian Space is filled with experts, videos and information on making those trips happen in an EV, from how and where to charge to trip planing, itineraries with embedded charge stops and insights into Rivian’s proprietary charge network, which is focused on parks and popular outdoor destinations. Guests can sign up for a test drive that is more like a mini-adventure. The idea is to get the full feel of driving a Rivian R1T or R1S, through the city and into nature, to develop confidence driving an electric car and to experience how Rivian frames the world a bit differently. Buyers can explore new accessories for off-roading, or simply find branded gifts like shirts and hats. Through panel discussions and events everyone can learn more about local destinations, sustainability efforts or simply, get up to speed on new innovations from Rivian’s engineers.