On Lusk Alley in San
Francisco's South of Market district, a 1917 smokehouse and meat-processing
facility has been renovated to become Twenty
Five Lusk. The 265-seat new American restaurant and bar
is an unexpected gem in the urban fabric.
CCS Architecture crafted the two-level space, weaving graceful forms and
sophisticated materials through the massive, historic, warehouse
structure. The interior emphasizes a
counterpoint between the new palette of polished stainless steel, glass, white
plaster, leather, mirror, faux fur, and slate and the existing elements of
brick, concrete and rough-sawn timber.
The
architects created a large, glass entrance, cutting into the existing building
exterior; the canopy bends up at its
leading edge to become the restaurant's signage. Windows were enlarged and added along the
façade to animate the interior with natural light and allow views. Inside, a large wedge from the upper floor
makes an open connection between the lower level lounge and the dining room
upstairs. Entering the restaurant,
guests take in simultaneous views of both.
The dining room is on the
second floor, up a half-flight of stairs from the entry. The kitchen is a highlight on this level; a
modern envelope of clear and black glass permits views of the chef action and
reflects the activity of the dining room.
A strategic mix of tables, banquettes, and booths provides seating for
120. Pullman-style booths are built into
the angled, low plaster wall that borders the cut-away, and cantilevered
tables, made from richly patterned Macassar ebony, pierce the wall. Lighting
reveals the original Douglas fir ceiling and creates a warm glow.
In the lower level lounge,
seating zones extend the length of the space, each with a suspended, stainless
steel fire orb. The orbs act as a focal
point for each seating area, much like camp fires, and their reflective flues
extend up through the restaurant's open spaces to the ceiling 20 feet above.
Behind the large bar, the former Ogden Packing and Provision smoking rooms have
been converted into intimate lounge areas. These semi-private, brick and
concrete chambers are appointed with sumptuous sofas. The lower level features a 40-seat private
dining room as well as a glass-enclosed
wine room within the former freight elevator shaft.
The architecture sets up a
notable contrast between the dramatic vertical space and the single-height
areas, allowing guests to experience the restaurant in its totality while
providing intimate spaces to explore. CCS
transformed the entire 15,000 square foot warehouse to accommodate new
uses. Twenty Five Lusk occupies the
first and second floors, and the third level has been designed as 5200 square
feet of creative office space.