restaurants & bars project report
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the space, the Cafe Monico designers added textured fabrics. As a result of the pan-European influences, not least the
food, the feel of the space is a French-Italian mix. The eatery is split into two areas, one on the ground floor, the other in the mezzanine. The Soho House team re-designed the ground and first floors and expanded the mezzanine.
Creating a timeless feel
The key idea for the brasserie was to allow theatre goers to pop in for a pre-show meal in a less formal environment. The quicker pace at street-level is underlined with hexagonal tiles, and the open kitchen keeps the pace going. Diners who want to take their time will feel at home
upstairs: the level features a softer floor of reclaimed wood in a geometric pattern while a 3 metre antique glass and brass chandelier dominates the centre. Green leather banquettes designed by Waterworth’s col-
leagues and created by the in-house joiner are placed through- out, and the lighting was also designed by Soho House.
The main highlight however is the staircase. Waterworth
muses: “It really holds the atmosphere, it’s the hub of the space leading to the mezzanine where you can see what’s going on, and there’s a particularly good view of the open kitchen.” While the staircase structure it replaced may have had its
merits, it was in the wrong place, eating into the room. The mezzanine structure was extended to create the new opening, and tie in the mezzanine to the facade as it was re-clad. Harder to create was a sense of instant longevity to the
place, an attempt to achieve this has been made through art. A skilled painter was hired to create a patina on the ceiling with individual brush strokes. “It’s like trompe l’oeil with a huge amount of detail involved,” explains Waterworth. “One of the tricks is to put more paintwork in the corners to create depth.” The structural works had the added benefit of creating
more storage space. The design director adds: “We wanted to make sure the kitchen was of a sufficient size with enough cupboards and surfaces. At the same time, we think it’s important that staff have a decent sized area in which to relax.” “Finally,” he adds, “the bathrooms need to be big.” The space
BUILDING PROJECTS
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A 3 metre antique glass and brass chandelier dominates the space
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