The design was a collaboration of Matt Abramck and Akiva Elstein of Neighborhood Projects and Krista Ninivaggi of Woods Bagot. “Matt and Akiva are such visionaries for what they do. Their deep understanding of their audience and brand allowed our team to act as design guides, helping them to draw out their best ideas to create the experience they were striving for and translating it for their new space.”
The guest experience upon entering the space was created with intentionality, drawing people in from the bright bustling flow within Rockefeller Center into a softly lit space in which to get lost. Guests are greeted by the host in a cozy vestibule surrounded by dark tones, dim lighting, and vintage wrought iron elevator cab panels. The panels are a nod to the celebrated elevator cab restroom in the original location. The minimal host stands in front of skinny wood paneling with a deep bevel. The texture of the reclaimed paneling is emphasized with two-tone gloss paint. The paneling and a black zellige tile are the primary wall finishes throughout the space. Window treatments are a moody take on the traditional bistro curtain.
Stepping past the entrance and into the restaurant, the main event is the oval island bar that is wrapped in zinc and walnut and sits on a tiled black stone floor. The columns that punctuate the space in between two directional wall panels are clad in zellige tile with inset mirrors. The walls opposite the storefront have large mirrors, custom to the space, but designed to feel antique and industrial, a nod to the mix of old and new aesthetic of the original location. Banquette seating lines the perimeter of the dining room and frames the central island bar. The banquettes are wrapped in complimentary oxblood velvet and leather and are detailed with piping used for legs, another nod to the original location.
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