L’Oréal Professional Products opened the L’Oréal Academy—a new hub for licensed hair professionals—at Hudson Yards in New York City. Spanning 13,097 square feet, the site will serve as the new “creative epicenter and global benchmark for technical mastery,” according to the global beauty giant, which hosted a celebratory event complete with a ribbon cutting, executive speeches, musical performances and a runway show, on Jan. 12, 2026.

The Redken Exchange has also relocated from 5th Avenue in New York to the Academy space, which is steps away from L’Oréal’s New York headquarters.

With the New York-based Academy and its existing Academy in El Segundo, CA, L’Oréal contends it now operates the largest US education footprint in the industry.

L’Oréal’s Professional Products division—spanning brands such as L’Oréal Professionnel, Redken, Matrix, Kérastase, Shu Uemura Art of Hair, Pureology, Pulp Riot, Biolage, Mizani and Color Wow—has a 115-year legacy in the salon industry. The company says it reaches 31% of the US hairstylist population.

“We wanted to create a home for education,” Leslie Marino, president of L’Oréal Professional Products Division for the US, said during the event. “But this isn’t just a training facility. This is a place where we nurture talent… And it is also a place where innovation thrives.”

“Opening this state-of-the-art Academy dedicated to the professional is another strategic step in building long-term growth for this amazing profession,” noted David Greenberg, chairman, L’Oréal USA. “Education has always been the heartbeat of our industry, but as our customers’ needs evolve, we must continue to raise the bar by answering in new and exciting ways. We want our stylist community to thrive for generations to come.”

Greenberg, as well as his successor, Alexis Perakis-Valat (the new CEO of L’Oréal USA and President – North America Zone), were on site during the Academy launch event.

The Academy’s curriculum ranges from foundational to advanced training, offering certifications in French balayage, color theory, design and more; courses for all levels, including hybrid global masterclasses; and influencer partner programming with scalable formats designed for top creators to host branded classes.

Designed in partnership with Gensler, the space features “true color” lighting, moveable acoustic walls and precision cameras for high-definition live-streaming, according to L’Oréal.

The Academy was built to LEED Gold standards. Additionally, there are ADA-compliant stations and Gjosa water-saving faucets incorporated into the space.

The location is also home to a testing center, where L’Oréal creates the “best products for the toolbox of our hairdressers,” Marino added.

The Academy follows the 2025 opening of L’Oréal Groupe’s $160 million North America Research & Innovation (R&I) Center located in Clark, NJ—not far from New York City. Clark is L’Oréal’s largest R&I center outside of France.