Rivian Creates its First Concept Experience in NYC’s Meatpacking District

Rivian, America’s leading all-electric car maker, is reported to be releasing news tomorrow, on May 5, 2025, about its exciting new showroom in New York City’s Meatpacking District.

Tucked beneath New York’s iconic High Line, right in the heart of the Meatpacking District, a new kind of showroom has emerged — one that doesn’t just showcase vehicles, but embodies a lifestyle. The Rivian Concept Experience is not your average retail space. It’s a statement — a bold pivot from the conventional dealership model toward something richer, deeper, and unmistakably experiential.

This 5,000-square-foot space, first opened in 2023 and now reimagined, marks Rivian’s first East Coast outpost following its debut in Venice, California. It’s more than a showroom. It’s a brand laboratory, a storytelling hub, and a community touchpoint, all wrapped into one immersive venue.

EVinfo.net spoke with Marina Hoffmann, Communications, Leadership Team at Rivian.

“Exclusively at our Meatpacking space, we’re introducing “adventure drives,” where guests can experience the capability of a Rivian during day trips to local destinations. Each quarter, guests can sign up for small group drives to places in NYC’s backyard, like the Met Cloisters, or slightly longer distance locales like Storm King Art Center. In addition to “adventure drives,” we will continue to offer standard demo drives, which can be scheduled in advance on our website. The redesigned space will also serve as a backdrop for a variety of events, including community gatherings and panel conversations,” said Hoffmann.

While Rivian’s traditional “Spaces” serve their purpose — spotlighting the rugged, all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV — this Concept Experience elevates the narrative. Designed under the vision of VP of Marketing, Denise Cherry, a long-time Rivian team member with roots in retail design and architecture, the space trades cold showroom minimalism for warmth, texture, and life.

Lush, oversized greenery, curated bookshelves, and circular pavilions filled with stories of real Rivian drivers define the space. Interactive displays bring adventures to life, while an on-site coffee bar invites visitors to linger and connect.

The Concept Experience isn’t static. Each year, the space will evolve around a central theme — kicking off with “Adventure Is In Us.” This inaugural theme celebrates the freedom Rivian vehicles unlock: impromptu road trips, off-grid camping, family escapes, and spontaneous detours. It’s less about horsepower and torque, and more about the moments made possible by electric innovation.

Future themes are already in the works, especially with the highly anticipated R2 and R3 models on the horizon. The R2 will offer a smaller, more city-savvy alternative, while the R3 brings a hot-hatch sensibility to the EV game — both signaling Rivian’s intention to broaden its reach without losing its rugged DNA.

Despite being built in Normal, Illinois, Rivian’s presence is rapidly growing in key urban markets. While Southern California remains the brand’s strongest foothold, New York is quickly catching up — and Rivian’s ambitions don’t stop at display. The brand envisions experiential drive events throughout the region, forging deeper connections with drivers and communities alike.

And Rivian isn’t just parking cars in the neighborhood — it’s planting roots. With this Concept Experience, the company aims to be an active participant in the Meatpacking District, engaging with locals, hosting events, and becoming a catalyst for conversations around clean energy, innovation, and adventure.

The Rivian Concept Experience under the High Line is more than a retail space — it’s a reflection of the brand’s evolving identity. As electric vehicles move from novelty to necessity, Rivian is proving that the showroom of the future isn’t about selling cars. It’s about sharing stories, sparking curiosity, and reminding us all that the spirit of adventure is still very much alive — and now, electric.

EVinfo.net highly recommends all Rivian vehicles, America’s leading all-electric brand. We recommend buying or leasing sooner than later, before price hikes come into play due to unnecessary tariffs.