Legacy Books is the largest independent bookstore built in the United States in the last 20 years. Murphy Cramer Design worked with the client to develop a unique design approach for Legacy Books; it is an inviting interior space that happens to be a bookstore. The interiors have a very open feel with abundant natural light from generous windows on three sides. The original vacant shell space contained two levels with a total of 24,000sf. A large opening was cut in the second level slab as well as incorporating a mezzanine levels above the ground floor and another mezzanine level above the second floor. By adding the two mezzanine levels we were able to maintain the original square footage of 24,000sf and at the same time significantly opened up the bookstore. The overall layout is easy-to-navigate and makes picking up a particular book a snap or leisurely browsing a pleasure. Also unique to this bookstore is the centrally located display cooking kitchen which allows chefs to show off their cooking skills while promoting their latest books. The display cooking area can also be viewed from multiple levels in the bookstore. The layout features a variety of casual seating areas within the different book sections with elegant shelving and other custom fixtures, all unlike what is found in your typical bookstore.