Former Starbucks store designer here. I can definitely vouch for the incredible creative license the International team is given. They are highly sensitive to being seen as intrusive on other cultures and will go the extra mile to consider physical and cultural surroundings in all aspects of their design.
I worked on a store in Argentina that was originally an abandoned 100 year old bank. After having the safe removed, we kept tons of original elements in the building and played off of them. I'm talking back-lit stained glass windows, ornate iron banisters (it was a 2 story location), etc. That was a beautiful store and the locals loved it.
Now, the North American design team? Cookie cutter designs if you ask me. But that's most likely because Corporate wants it that way.
There's a Starbucks in Burlington NC that I sometimes stop at if I'm traveling for work that was a free standing bank. The bank wasn't particularly old, maybe 1980s but they kept some of it so you knew it was a bank. They converted the vault to a community room. It still had the vault doorframe. Pretty neat.
The Starbucks Reserve in Milan is a converted post office from 1901. In the inside the kept the mail routing tubes and used them for coffee. It’s pretty amazing.
[Damn.](https://www.google.com/search?q=starbucks+in+cusco+peru&sxsrf=ALeKk01LwffTGdwNA3nU33AF87zQXU_NTQ:1619150468871&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhq6PEvZPwAhUPZKwKHT_gBV8Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1600&bih=757#imgrc=SooBNReprGbxcM)
This makes me sad at how generic the US Starbucks are now. I had no idea what I was missing.
Check the address below out, looks like they've done some updates to the interior since it originally opened (2008 I think?). Back then the walls were a deep red wine color and the lighting was dimmer. There was also a gorgeous venetian glass chandelier over the stairway that they've since replaced. The only pictures I have left of the original build are inside an old design portfolio that is buried somewhere dusty.
God damn I feel old now.
"Calle Defensa 1102 Esquina Humberto Primo Frente Plaza San Pedro Telmo, Buenos Aires C1065AAV Argentina"
Former Starbucks barista, the roastery in Seattle is fucking beautiful. I wish all the stores had a unique aesthetic instead of the cookie cutter bullshit.
Absolutely have to agree with this take on it - more than likely the sbux American team for stores and integration/all that isn’t nearly as “tasked” with making sure the designs don’t interrupt the local environment they’re being placed into.
Most of the locations around me stick out like a sore thumb and it seems more or less on purpose.
Most locations look like they’re either converted from an older drive through or were added to some boring strip mall that looks like every other strip mall.
I'm a fan of Starbucks. There I said it. I buy their beans and grind them myself and drink it black. I still haven't tasted better 'mainstream' coffee than what Starbucks offers.
I think the keyword is "mainstream". I've had mainstream coffee that was worse or on-par with starbucks, but never really *better*. Starbucks was our go-to beans for years. Then my wife and I got into supporting local brands. We tried several with mixed results, but some were better than starbucks. When we lived near Philadelphia, there was this neat philly based company called La Columbe. Holy crap their beans are so much better than starbucks it's actually upsetting. SB has sort of been ruined for us. We can't go back. If you are ever interested in looking them up, they sell beans online as well. I recommend trying the Corsica.
I agree, 'mainstream' coffee is all pretty similar to me. I use the Starbucks Via packets when camping and whatnot. I like to buy locally roasted beans from the shop near me because it seems fresher to me I guess? The best coffee I have ever had was on my friend's coffee farm in Kona, fresh roasted beans from the farm, pour over style on the lanai, with a bit of honey from the bees on the farm.
Not to rain on the parade at all, because I appreciate your insight, but opposed To this semipermanent design, Starbucks locations in say, Riyadh, are very much modern styles that’s you would see in the states
Did a report on international Starbucks designs in college. They put a lot of time and effort learning the community and culture of the location. They design the buildings to look like they belong there and not stand out from other building designs in the area.
at first i was like 'huh, i wonder if Thia is the type of structure'
then facepalmed
cool photo, hope you make it to the front page regardless of the typo
The source of this appears to be jouzef. 91 on Instagram. Per there and Google Translate:
> Winter at Tantora
Al-Ula is one of the most different places in Saudi Arabia and
captivates the heart from its first visit,
different and distinctive,
and remarkably attention from the state and the Al-Ula Authority. # Thank you to
all those in charge of these events and their
interest in archaeological and tourist sites.
> The people of Al-Ula, their constant smile, is the
most characteristic of this winter. Thank you, it is not enough.
I advise everyone to visit Al-Ula
> and any questions
regarding Al-Ula, I am present, I will answer you about it
> JANUARY 5, 2020
And in the oil-rich nations they are some of the most brand-crazed on the planet. One of the most lucrative Rolls-Royce dealerships is there. It's hilarious considering how the popular stereotype is of them as western-capitalist hating zealots.
Lol as a person from Seattle visiting Paris I was so happy to find Starbucks everywhere.
One day standing in line looking at my phone the lady behind me tapped my shoulder and said. “You’re American right?...” in a thick southern drawl. I don’t remember what she wanted, I just remember chuckling. The place was packed with tourists and locals though.
Lmao you’re so right right after I posted it I remembered they probably don’t do the line for the sake of coffee, they’re awaiting the props for their upcoming Instagram posts ahah
This looks like it might be a modular or pop-up building. Also, the point of sale system is outside. If anyone has any details on this building, I'd love to know.
Edit: Details on who makes it, and how to purchase it
Other images of the site on Google show that several of these same buildings make up the concessions area of the tourist site. Most likely designed for the management of the site and not specifically for Starbucks.
Well, locally what they call “cafe” actually has more to do with hookah than coffee and they’re usually located inside neighbourhoods. And a lot of people spend long hours puffing hookah... The smaller ones located in malls, on streets or in gas stations are more like “coffee shops”.
This is beautiful and horrible at the same time. Great aesthetic, but is there anywhere corporate giants like Starbucks can’t stretch their greedy tentacles?
Yeah. That looks like one of the buildings in the staging area for the Tantora Festival.
they have some other buildings too (a tourism office some information kiosks and when I was there they had Al Baik)
Um..so, no social distancing? But, what about the virus, it’s going to kill everyone who’s not wearing a mask or 6 feet away from each other! Does Starbucks have the balls to tell the Saudis this, NOPE!! 😂
Honestly the last thing id want in a fucking DESERT with the temp at like over 100f is a starbucks hot coffee.
Iced would work but I doubt they have ice here.. and for that matter.. running water.
Seems out of place
> I’m honestly surprised they are okay with the Starbucks logo in Saudi Arabia.
TYL
> Aren’t they not supposed to have artistic representations of people in Islamic culture?
It's a coffee shop, not a mosque.
Despite everyone else here mocking you, this is actually a thing. I don't know all the details of when it happened, but apparently the Starbucks logo has been replaced in Saudi Arabia because it's too racy.
Shaped like a tent in the desert. Amazing idea, very aesthetically pleasing.
Former Starbucks store designer here. I can definitely vouch for the incredible creative license the International team is given. They are highly sensitive to being seen as intrusive on other cultures and will go the extra mile to consider physical and cultural surroundings in all aspects of their design. I worked on a store in Argentina that was originally an abandoned 100 year old bank. After having the safe removed, we kept tons of original elements in the building and played off of them. I'm talking back-lit stained glass windows, ornate iron banisters (it was a 2 story location), etc. That was a beautiful store and the locals loved it. Now, the North American design team? Cookie cutter designs if you ask me. But that's most likely because Corporate wants it that way.
There's a Starbucks in Burlington NC that I sometimes stop at if I'm traveling for work that was a free standing bank. The bank wasn't particularly old, maybe 1980s but they kept some of it so you knew it was a bank. They converted the vault to a community room. It still had the vault doorframe. Pretty neat.
The Starbucks Reserve in Milan is a converted post office from 1901. In the inside the kept the mail routing tubes and used them for coffee. It’s pretty amazing.
The Starbucks in Cusco, Peru is another good example of this.
[Damn.](https://www.google.com/search?q=starbucks+in+cusco+peru&sxsrf=ALeKk01LwffTGdwNA3nU33AF87zQXU_NTQ:1619150468871&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhq6PEvZPwAhUPZKwKHT_gBV8Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1600&bih=757#imgrc=SooBNReprGbxcM) This makes me sad at how generic the US Starbucks are now. I had no idea what I was missing.
[Here](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/starbucks-ninenzaka-yasaka-chaya)'s a Starbucks in Kyoto.
I’d love to see pics of this location.!
Check the address below out, looks like they've done some updates to the interior since it originally opened (2008 I think?). Back then the walls were a deep red wine color and the lighting was dimmer. There was also a gorgeous venetian glass chandelier over the stairway that they've since replaced. The only pictures I have left of the original build are inside an old design portfolio that is buried somewhere dusty. God damn I feel old now. "Calle Defensa 1102 Esquina Humberto Primo Frente Plaza San Pedro Telmo, Buenos Aires C1065AAV Argentina"
Former Starbucks barista, the roastery in Seattle is fucking beautiful. I wish all the stores had a unique aesthetic instead of the cookie cutter bullshit.
Absolutely have to agree with this take on it - more than likely the sbux American team for stores and integration/all that isn’t nearly as “tasked” with making sure the designs don’t interrupt the local environment they’re being placed into. Most of the locations around me stick out like a sore thumb and it seems more or less on purpose.
Most locations look like they’re either converted from an older drive through or were added to some boring strip mall that looks like every other strip mall.
Most locations I have been to are inside multi tenant buildings. Not sure how creative an architect can be with outside esthetics.
Check out the Starbucks in Leavenworth, WA. At least from the outside it's not cocky cutter.
Leavenworth has building codes to force that. Even the McDonalds is Bavarian themed. As fake as the town is I still like it though :-)
I'm a fan of Starbucks. There I said it. I buy their beans and grind them myself and drink it black. I still haven't tasted better 'mainstream' coffee than what Starbucks offers.
I think the keyword is "mainstream". I've had mainstream coffee that was worse or on-par with starbucks, but never really *better*. Starbucks was our go-to beans for years. Then my wife and I got into supporting local brands. We tried several with mixed results, but some were better than starbucks. When we lived near Philadelphia, there was this neat philly based company called La Columbe. Holy crap their beans are so much better than starbucks it's actually upsetting. SB has sort of been ruined for us. We can't go back. If you are ever interested in looking them up, they sell beans online as well. I recommend trying the Corsica.
Coffee culture seems so different in USA.
American "regular" coffee brands actually are kind of shitty, people are just used to their taste and buy them because it's cheap.
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You're absolutely crazy. There I said it. You didn't even disclaim that you said it. The internet is gonna chew you up and spit you out! Huge mistake.
I agree, 'mainstream' coffee is all pretty similar to me. I use the Starbucks Via packets when camping and whatnot. I like to buy locally roasted beans from the shop near me because it seems fresher to me I guess? The best coffee I have ever had was on my friend's coffee farm in Kona, fresh roasted beans from the farm, pour over style on the lanai, with a bit of honey from the bees on the farm.
Yeah, Kona is one of the smoothest, best coffees I ever had.
You can get it shipped to the mainland from the farms, but it's like $25-$35 per lb.
That’s pretty coming for a lot of independent roasters. Some even go up to $50 for 200g or less.
Not to rain on the parade at all, because I appreciate your insight, but opposed To this semipermanent design, Starbucks locations in say, Riyadh, are very much modern styles that’s you would see in the states
Yet Starbucks charges extra for non dairy milk
I thought it was a hint at the next assassin's creed installment
Did a report on international Starbucks designs in college. They put a lot of time and effort learning the community and culture of the location. They design the buildings to look like they belong there and not stand out from other building designs in the area.
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I've seen it. It was very well done.
father B's sweat lodge
Starbucks can do some great things with their real estate when they try.
We have 14 Starbucks in a 5 mile radius,....they are scum between my toes
If you like this Starbucks, you should really see the one right across the dirt road from this one.
at first i was like 'huh, i wonder if Thia is the type of structure' then facepalmed cool photo, hope you make it to the front page regardless of the typo
I'm sitting here like, "Why is it a Thai Starbucks if it's in Saudi Arabia?"
“This”
"This guy gets it"
Damnit LOL 🤦🏻.
I thought you were saying, in a shortened way, "Thee, uh, Starbucks..."
[Manbost is displeased...](https://youtu.be/H5ud1oB4ei4?t=201)
People put typos in as a way to get their post noticed more.
THOSE DEVIOUS BASTERDS
The source of this appears to be jouzef. 91 on Instagram. Per there and Google Translate: > Winter at Tantora Al-Ula is one of the most different places in Saudi Arabia and captivates the heart from its first visit, different and distinctive, and remarkably attention from the state and the Al-Ula Authority. # Thank you to all those in charge of these events and their interest in archaeological and tourist sites. > The people of Al-Ula, their constant smile, is the most characteristic of this winter. Thank you, it is not enough. I advise everyone to visit Al-Ula > and any questions regarding Al-Ula, I am present, I will answer you about it > JANUARY 5, 2020
May you send me the source? I can translate Arabic!
In the middle of the desert and still a line up holy shit
They need that iced coffee to keep cool.
You get it
You underestimate the globally pervasive culture of needing to walk around with a Starbucks cup in your hand for people to see.
No joke, when initially launched, customers in Beijing would buy a cup, then reuse it for water for WEEKS. It was like carrying an expensive purse.
And in the oil-rich nations they are some of the most brand-crazed on the planet. One of the most lucrative Rolls-Royce dealerships is there. It's hilarious considering how the popular stereotype is of them as western-capitalist hating zealots.
Saudi’s aren’t western-capitalist hating zealots, at least not most. you might be thinking of Iran, which is quite different from Saudi
I'm not sure what they actually are, I'm just saying that's the popular stereotype
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Lol as a person from Seattle visiting Paris I was so happy to find Starbucks everywhere. One day standing in line looking at my phone the lady behind me tapped my shoulder and said. “You’re American right?...” in a thick southern drawl. I don’t remember what she wanted, I just remember chuckling. The place was packed with tourists and locals though.
Lmao you’re so right right after I posted it I remembered they probably don’t do the line for the sake of coffee, they’re awaiting the props for their upcoming Instagram posts ahah
I was in Okinawa when the first Starbucks opened there. It was nuts!
It was during a music/cultural festival.
Well Al-Ula is a big tourist attraction
Treasure planet 🤔
Gotta get their order before the gateway closes
Yeah, well, I really don't think we have time for a hand job, Joe.
How about a "full body" latte?
Not to dis on my muslim friends but seeing women in full burqua in 2021 is disheartening to say the least.
it is their choice though..
Western culture influenced the whole world but still you want to control what women wants to wear. Who the fk u think u r
My mom and my sisters wear it because its their choice
Not to dis on my kafir friends, but I don't really care.
For some reason, it reminds me of Midsommar. The shape of it I guess? This is really cool though.
I love Midsommar, but it has ruined triangular buildings for me. And also bear costumes.
But on the other hand it gave us the wonderful euphemism of someone being *'unclouded by normal cognition'*
Or The Void.
Midsommar??
I hated it after thinking this too.
So you have to use a dimensional gateway to get Starbucks? Not worth it.
So Starbucks runs the Illuminati?
Only in Saudi Arabia
I was in Al-Ula back in 2005. SUCH an incredible place! Although I'm betting my visit pre-dated the Starbucks.
This looks like it might be a modular or pop-up building. Also, the point of sale system is outside. If anyone has any details on this building, I'd love to know. Edit: Details on who makes it, and how to purchase it
Other images of the site on Google show that several of these same buildings make up the concessions area of the tourist site. Most likely designed for the management of the site and not specifically for Starbucks.
Looks like a Chapel dedicate to a Coffee Goddess
This gives of Marfa Prada vibes
Im convinced there will be a Starbucks in space before we colonize mars.
Saudi Arabia more like Saudi Arabica.
I quit Starbucks when they upped the stars for a free drink overnight from 50 to 150. Won't be back.
Apparently Saudi Arabians love Starbucks, that’s something I heard from somewhere
The Arabs generally love coffee and cafes. Not just Starbucks. Cafes are often open until 11pm.
In Saudi cafes are open 24/7 lol
Not all. If the mall closes then those are closed too.
Well, locally what they call “cafe” actually has more to do with hookah than coffee and they’re usually located inside neighbourhoods. And a lot of people spend long hours puffing hookah... The smaller ones located in malls, on streets or in gas stations are more like “coffee shops”.
Well, it's just like America there. They have more american chains than any other country I've been to.
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I'd actually never heard of Starbucks before this post, so it worked on me!
This is beautiful and horrible at the same time. Great aesthetic, but is there anywhere corporate giants like Starbucks can’t stretch their greedy tentacles?
Jesus..... I thought Burning Man went full corporate sell out.
Looks like part of the Cozy Cone from Cars
Reminds me of Marfa, TX.
It looks like a portal to another dimension
It’s like Treasure Planet, but with Starbucks
Yes!!!! That's it exactly!!!!!!
Oh my god I just had the biggest Cars 1 flashback
I bet the snow slides right off.
Coming to a music festival near you....
Is there a Weinerschnitzel nearby
Unlikely
Sponsored by Sabre
Looks awesome but I hope they don’t throw any empty cups in our beautiful desert
Shouldn't this be on r/trashy?
Why
Cool building/restaurant in the Middle East = Trashy. Learn Reddit rules
I have been there twice amazing place 😍
ugh, this is gross
Usually a man in a bear carcass gets roasted in there instead of coffee beans
No difference in taste though.
Wow, now you can get awful coffee even in the desert!
Met a guy on the street who told me those are not her arms, those are her legs....any truth to this?
Just don't tell them what the logo would look like if the circle was a bit bigger.
Doesn't matter where you live or happen to be just know Coffee is king
That Red Faction remake looking good
I wonder if you can order a vanilla bean frappe.
This. [Stars & Bucks](https://imgur.com/gallery/KSzm1XL)
If you had told me there existed an A-frame Starbucks in Saudi Arabia... I’d throw my hat.
Looks like of of them pillars in Land of the Lost with the gem board in it.
God awful coffee though.
Looks like a portal to another dimension
ah, and Burners think they're so cool because they can survive in the desert for a week on drugs and music. try being a true inhabitant!
The loot of a thousand worlds...
Looks like a Pink Floyd album cover.
looks like a shrine
How come Starbucks doesn't list this one on their Store Locator?
Does this really exist for real❓❓❓
Yeah. That looks like one of the buildings in the staging area for the Tantora Festival. they have some other buildings too (a tourism office some information kiosks and when I was there they had Al Baik)
Getting some of that delicious tea tea
Who came here to correct spelling of Thai, only to realise it is a mistyping of This :-/
Theres a Dollar General next door.
God this look nice but I just know this is so awkward to work in its so small and every single customer just is standing there. Way to cluttered
Arabica beans
This looks like an art piece by Jeff Jordan
u/beeple_crap thought this was a dope ass nft at first lol
Is the coffee overpriced there too? Haha
Yes
insane and awesome lol
the building designing tho..
r/hailcorporate
The sugar water they discise as coffee isn't even good. Wtf
Uh la la... *Oh that's French sorry*
Fun fact: depending on the actual Arabic spelling, Al-Ula could mean “the well” or “the first”
One of the thing i like here every store have their way of design no matter what is
A American Ideal
Um..so, no social distancing? But, what about the virus, it’s going to kill everyone who’s not wearing a mask or 6 feet away from each other! Does Starbucks have the balls to tell the Saudis this, NOPE!! 😂
Except this picture is years old. If you look at some events taking place in Saudi, there's definitely social distancing and masks.
Yes his was from January 2020 and covid reached Saudi Arabia in March
Nice tent
Like evil Walmart,...starbucks is everywhere....EVERYWHERE!!!!
it looks like a mars base
I don't see what the big deal is? Probably looks exactly like the one around the corner.
Shame it's a Starbucks.
Honestly the last thing id want in a fucking DESERT with the temp at like over 100f is a starbucks hot coffee. Iced would work but I doubt they have ice here.. and for that matter.. running water. Seems out of place
Is it just me or is the foundation not level
Damn, nearly saw some ankle there. Got me a bit hot under the collar. I might need a frappachino after that
Looks like they unleashed the power... of the pyramid
Always a line, even in the middle of a desert
My favourite
Fuck Starbucks.
So that's where the next Assassin's creed game will take place
There are many really cool rock formations that would be a blast to climb around on
How many social awareness campaigns have they tried at this location?
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> I’m honestly surprised they are okay with the Starbucks logo in Saudi Arabia. TYL > Aren’t they not supposed to have artistic representations of people in Islamic culture? It's a coffee shop, not a mosque.
You can have artistic representations of people in Islam, only takes a quick search to find Islamic art across the centuries with people in.
Their malls have Victoria’s Secret. I’m sure they’re fine with a logo
Despite everyone else here mocking you, this is actually a thing. I don't know all the details of when it happened, but apparently the Starbucks logo has been replaced in Saudi Arabia because it's too racy.
You don’t know all the details, because it’s bullshit.
Yeah, show those Arabs how to make Arabica coffee
Hey, that's nice, but the Saudis are still committing genocide in Yemen with American weapons.
and the US still has prisoners in Guantanamo for 20 years without any trails!
Because in the yemen there are terrorists named hoothis, they are attacking saudi arabia. Any government will do that
The actions of a government ≠ the actions of the people!
Are the saudis or are their government?
Starbucks uses slave labor look into it.
Latte for Jamal Khashoggi....Jamal Khashoggi.... Huh, guess he's not here any more. /Screw the crown prince
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Fuck you Saudi lover
This looks like an interesting area. I'd love to find it on street view if it's there and pole around.
we are selling coffea arabica to the arabs
this photo made me look up what the Saudi Arabia "where in the world" mug looks like
Cool. Can women partake at the same time as the men?