blend French and Italian fashion with works by a local artist and some history.

Signing on so far as tenants of Butterfield Place are a Louis Vuitton shop, Additions shoes, a new Michael Swan art gallery and Hall of Names.

The Louis Vuitton shop, located in one of the two Front Street window spots, will sell a wide range of items -- among them luggage, clothing and desktop accessories -- from the French company.

Atlantic Luggage Company Ltd., owned by Toleram's, is the exclusive seller of Louis Vuitton in Bermuda. Toleram's recently acquired the distribution rights from Calypso.

The Louis Vuitton shop plans to open next week with the others to follow.

Additions will be the latest move by Calypso, which operates Hamilton, Dockyard locations as well as the Reid Street Benetton store.

Calypso general manager Pierre Dutoya said the company's new store, Additions, will sell men's and women's shoes, focusing on Italian product, and accessories. Additions has targeted March 20-25 for opening.

"It will be a new concept, a new product,'' Mr. Dutoya said.

Mr. Swan's new gallery, featuring paintings and prints and unique gifts, is slated to open mid-February.

Hall of Names, operated by John Doherty, provides information on surname origins. The business was previously located in Dockyard.

Despite several years of flat figures on the retail front, the bank is counting on cruise ship proximity to help make the new retail space a success.

"We've tried to create an up market retail space and we believe we have a good product,'' Bank of Butterfield premises manager Adam Hawley said.

Butterfield Place also has the potential to become a popular thoroughfare, Mr.

Hawley said.

Visitors to Butterfield Place, designed by architectural firm Barker & Linberg, can walk through to the Emporium or access Reid Street via the bank, avoiding Burnaby Hill.

The bank has converted the old Traders Gate into about 4,000 feet of retail space with offices upstairs.

There has been interest in Butterfield Place's two remaining spots but no takers, Mr. Hawley added.

Since the bank began its multi-million dollar head office renovation, Butterfield Place served as a banking hall while other parts of the bank were renovated.

Mr. Hawley declined to reveal how much Butterfield Place cost nor would he discuss leasing details about the retail space.