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The Detroit Athletic Club: The Gallery | The Fresco
The Detroit Athletic Club: The Gallery | The Fresco
Detroit, MI, United States
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Other Projects by McIntosh Poris Architects
The Detroit Athletic Club: The Gallery | The Fresco
Detroit, MI, United States
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2019
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
BUDGET
$500K - 1M
The Grill Room was the original restaurant on the ground floor of the historic Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) designed in 1915 by Albert Kahn, FAIA. Although a major portion of the restaurant was renovated in the 1990s, it still seemed old-fashioned and unbalanced. The formal carpeted “Gallery” section of the restaurant felt disconnected from the informal tiled “Fresco” section. Both sections served different types of occasions and had different atmospheres, furnishings, lighting, acoustics, and menus. To modernize and create a singular cohesive restaurant, DAC directors engaged McIntosh Poris Associates to transform The Grill Room into The Gallery | The Fresco.
McIntosh Poris’ design solutions highlight the architectural treasures of the club while connecting the spaces through updated finishes and custom craftsmanship. In the renovation, the original details were preserved and enhanced with new materials to respect the club’s history and foster more intimate and personalized dining experiences for DAC members. Historic elements include oak millwork and vaulted plaster ceilings that were restored with decorative illustrations, moldings, trims, and rosettes. The flooring is original Pewabic tile and complemented with new custom carpeting. Murals in The Fresco area were painted by local artist Hubert Massey in 1999.
McIntosh Poris gathered inspiration from the club’s history and its founding fathers, who were automotive pioneers. Materials used in the renovation, such as sumptuous leathers and rich oak wood finishes, were inspired by the luxurious materials used in early automobiles. The designers also channeled the glamour of the 1920s in the details of new chandeliers, repurposed bottle-glass panels, and mohair fabric accents.
The design team visually connected The Gallery to The Fresco by applying similar elements throughout both sections. The color palette and pattern of The Fresco’s original Pewabic floor tiles were incorporated into a custom carpet for The Gallery, visually connecting the flooring of both wings.
To create versatile seating options, McIntosh Poris designed leather-upholstered booths, banquettes, and wingback dining chairs to create a more comfortable and cohesive design throughout. The DAC board of directors and McIntosh Poris collaborated on the design of an internally lit custom quartzite “Cellar Table,” meant for special occasions. New dining tables throughout the restaurant were designed and fabricated with bases inspired by the club’s former billiards table bases.
Because the DAC’s original architecture stands on its own, McIntosh Poris felt that its job was to highlight and celebrate this legacy through interior design. The resulting interior of The Gallery | The Fresco provides increased functionality and lends vibrancy to the club.
McIntosh Poris’ design solutions highlight the architectural treasures of the club while connecting the spaces through updated finishes and custom craftsmanship. In the renovation, the original details were preserved and enhanced with new materials to respect the club’s history and foster more intimate and personalized dining experiences for DAC members. Historic elements include oak millwork and vaulted plaster ceilings that were restored with decorative illustrations, moldings, trims, and rosettes. The flooring is original Pewabic tile and complemented with new custom carpeting. Murals in The Fresco area were painted by local artist Hubert Massey in 1999.
McIntosh Poris gathered inspiration from the club’s history and its founding fathers, who were automotive pioneers. Materials used in the renovation, such as sumptuous leathers and rich oak wood finishes, were inspired by the luxurious materials used in early automobiles. The designers also channeled the glamour of the 1920s in the details of new chandeliers, repurposed bottle-glass panels, and mohair fabric accents.
The design team visually connected The Gallery to The Fresco by applying similar elements throughout both sections. The color palette and pattern of The Fresco’s original Pewabic floor tiles were incorporated into a custom carpet for The Gallery, visually connecting the flooring of both wings.
To create versatile seating options, McIntosh Poris designed leather-upholstered booths, banquettes, and wingback dining chairs to create a more comfortable and cohesive design throughout. The DAC board of directors and McIntosh Poris collaborated on the design of an internally lit custom quartzite “Cellar Table,” meant for special occasions. New dining tables throughout the restaurant were designed and fabricated with bases inspired by the club’s former billiards table bases.
Because the DAC’s original architecture stands on its own, McIntosh Poris felt that its job was to highlight and celebrate this legacy through interior design. The resulting interior of The Gallery | The Fresco provides increased functionality and lends vibrancy to the club.
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