Retail Chess on Walnut Street: Lululemon Executes Phase One of Expansion
The brand shifts to temporary digs at the former North Face space at 1515 Walnut Street while construction prep begins on their super-sized Rittenhouse store.
Remember when we told you about Lululemon’s expansion plans? Well, grab your Define jacket because phase 1 kicked off this week with Lululemon officially moving into the former North Face space at 1515 Walnut Street, just a couple of blocks down from their future super-sized home.
The Expansion Plan
Here’s how the pieces are moving: Lululemon is combining their current location at 1720 Walnut Street with the space next door at 1718 Walnut to create a significantly larger store—nearly doubling from roughly 4,000 square feet to over 7,300 square feet. To make this happen, Indochino (which occupied 1718 Walnut) relocated to 1519 Walnut Street, aided by their landlord who not only let them out of their lease early but also helped them find their new home.
Lululemon originally opened at 1720 Walnut Street back in January 2016, and nearly a decade later, they’re betting that Rittenhouse can support nearly double the square footage. Given that the 19103 ZIP code ranks as the wealthiest in Greater Philadelphia and 24th in the country, that bet seems pretty solid.
The Athleisure Takeover
If you’ve walked the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Walnut Street lately, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: this stretch has become athleisure central. Alo Yoga opened at 1608 Walnut in 2024, Vuori arrived at 1705 Walnut the same year, and Athleta has been holding it down at 1722 Walnut—right next to Lululemon—for over 13 years.
Lululemon’s expansion is both a response to this competitive landscape and a commitment to dominating it. When you’re the flagship brand in a category and your competitors are moving in around you, staying the same size isn’t really an option. The architectural rendering shows what’s ahead: a modern storefront with floor-to-ceiling windows and clean lines that align with the brand’s premium positioning.
The Temporary Reality
Which brings us to now: while construction plans move forward, Lululemon has temporarily relocated to a former retail space at 1515 Walnut Street (the old North Face spot). The popup is fully operational—women’s apparel downstairs, men’s upstairs—but it’s noticeably smaller than what the brand typically operates. It’s the bridge between what was and what’s coming.
What This Means for Rittenhouse
Lululemon’s expansion is part of a broader trend: premium retailers continue to invest in Rittenhouse’s Walnut Street corridor. When a brand nearly doubles its footprint, it’s signaling that the market can support it—and that they’re not going anywhere.
In the meantime, fans can continue shopping at the popup at 1515 Walnut, which is fully operational and ready to outfit your winter workout wardrobe. The expanded store at 1718-1720 Walnut Street is still in the planning phases, but when it opens, it’ll be one of Lululemon’s largest presences in the city.
Temporary Location: 1515 Walnut Street
Future Expanded Location: 1718-20 Walnut Street
Current Size: ~4,000 square feet
Future Size: ~7,300 square feet
Construction Timeline: 2026
Sending all the good vibes their way for a speedy construction!
