When I wrote about the new Westfield mall I promised to follow up with some of my own ideas for how I think it could’ve been done. What with the festive craziness I haven’t had as much time as I would have liked, but here are two examples and concepts I do find inspirational and relevant.
The Grand Cafe and Bar, Royal Exchange
The Grand Cafe and Bar is housed in the old Stock Exchange building right by Bank tube. The building is now home to designer shops such as Paul Smith, Chanel, Tiffany & Co etc, as well as some mezzanine dining, and the cafe – which takes up most of the central courtyard. Although you can’t compare this building and its surrounds to a brand new mall such as Westfield (history aside, the RE building was opened by Queen Victoria in 1844 and is Grade I-listed), the concept I am focusing on – drinking/dining in a high-end environment – is the same.
What makes the Grand Cafe and Bar work so well?
A beautifully designed island bar in a glistening pewter, a dramatic high-level central display of foliage/ flowers which compliments the setting and inspires admiration, staff in smart uniforms and just the right size and amount of dining / customer area which surrounds the bar from all sides (note that the dining furniture is also very chic). The flooring – in lovely cobblestones – adds to the aesthetic appeal but I guess these are the real deal, so there was an advantage here.
I took this picture with my mobile so unfortunately the quality isn't great, neither does it capture the key points I mention above. However you might be able to get some idea!
These photos are courtesy of D&D. The left-hand pic is wow factor of the bar at night. The right-hand image is to show the awesome height and space of the building. They did a great job in creating an inviting, luxury cafe and dining area.
Nice side view of the pewter bar, courtesy of D&D
I think the cafe could have risked feeling very ‘cold’ given the high ceiling, general space of the atrium, and by the fact that there are 2 doors at the opposite sides of the courtyard which could mean drafts big time. And yet, D&D have done a superb job of creating a wonderful, stylish space which shouts ‘luxury’, ‘your special, come and enjoy”. Doesn’t this vision beat The Village at Westfield’s underwhelming one champagne bar?
Go to The Grand Cafe and Bar website for more pics and info.
Promenade Plantee, Paris / High Line, Meatpacking District NYC
I already mentioned in my original piece that a living wall would have been a nice touch for Westfield – mixing nature and concrete not only would look great but it could have served in many ways as an educational tool - inspiring customers with nature etc etc.
I recently read about the High Line in NYC – an abandoned 1.45 mile section of railroad along the lower west side of Manhattan. Built in the early 1930s it has been unused since 1980- but it’s now being turned into an elevated park, with parts due to open to the public in 2009. Hotel developer Andre Balazs , owner of the Chateau Marmont in LA, is even building a 337-room hotel straddling the High Line at Little West 12th Street – cool!
How is this relevant?
High Line has been modeled on the Promenade Plantee in Paris – both projects add nature to an urban environment in a not-the-usual way, and by doing so, consumers are engaged and I guess it’s challenging the norm. There are other details which make High Line a bigger, more interesting picture such as the choice and positioning of the energy efficient lighting, choice of flowers/ plants etc. Ultimately it’s fun, innovative, educational, environmental and inspiring – and although there are no disused railway lines to convert, a concept like this could be visualized and realized into a mall environment.
Here are some pictures taken from http://www.thehighline.org/design/designslideshow.htm - if you want to know more I recommend checking out the website where these slides came from.
