A flagship store and gallery for camera brand Leica has arrived in New York's Meatpacking District, designed by Format Architecture Office with a cream brick-screen facade.

The Leica Store and Gallery replaces an "unremarkable" 1950s meat market building that had fallen into disrepair.

"At just two stories in height and with a modest street frontage under 20 feet (six metres), the building is also one of the smallest remaining buildings and a rare exception to the neighborhood's upscaling trend," said Format Architecture Office.

The Leica Store and Gallery replaces a dilapidated 1950s meat market building and features a new brick facade

The gut renovation expanded the floor area to 4,000 square feet (372 square metres) while retaining original features like the timber-framed ceiling.

The upper floor plate was cut back to create a double-height mezzanine at the front and a series of new skylights were installed to bring natural light down into the lower level.

At the back of the second storey, a new steel bifold glass door opens onto a 1,000-square-foot outdoor terrace.

A retail space with wood panelling and glass vitrines is located behind the storefront

Format Architecture Office overhauled the front facade of the building, creating a steel and glass storefront at street level and a brickwork wall above.

The cream-coloured bricks in the centre are laid to form a lattice wrapped by a bonded frame, "offering a modern interpretation of the decorative brickwork reliefs found throughout the district" according to the studio.

The latticed screen allows light into the upper floor during the day, while integrated lighting within the frame creates a dramatic glow at night.