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Project posted by The Prestige Group

La Grande Boucherie

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Location
Manhattan, New York, New York
Year
2020
2020
DESIGN/ This one-of-a-kind Brasserie is located in the beating heart of Midtown with entry access through the unique pedestrian arcade at 6 1/2 Avenue, between 53rd and 54th St, with 5,500 ft² floor and 6,000 ft² plaza, is featuring 20 ft ceilings. Upon entering, you are carried away to a different time and place. This space embodies the joie de vivre of the Belle Epoque era of Paris through a careful and meticulous revival of Art Nouveau forms. The site’s existing architecture offers the perfect canvas for an expressive rehabilitation and reinvention of a style.
DESIGN/ This one-of-a-kind Brasserie is located in the beating heart of Midtown with entry access through the unique pedestrian arcade at 6 1/2 Avenue, between 53rd and 54th St, with 5,500 ft² floor and 6,000 ft² plaza, is featuring 20 ft ceilings. Upon entering, you are carried away to a different time and place. This space embodies the joie de vivre of the Belle Epoque era of Paris through a careful and meticulous revival of Art Nouveau forms. The site’s existing architecture offers the perfect canvas for an expressive rehabilitation and reinvention of a style.
THE ARCADE/ The architecture of the arcade is revitalized into an inviting hidden gem of ornament and spectacle between two existing buildings. A once overlooked pedestrian walkway is reactivated to the public and transformed into a moment of discovery. The arcade synchronously serves as a transition point between the two city streets and the Art Nouveau revival of the restaurant; a mere introduction to the interior space awaiting one’s entry. The floor has been hand-crafted in half inch mosaic Carrara Marble tiles following custom organic patterns. A palette of neutral colors blend with the existing brick flooring and glass wall surroundings. As this space was intended for outdoor use in dining, year-round functionality is also addressed by integrating a heated floor system below the mosaic tiling.
THE ARCADE/ The architecture of the arcade is revitalized into an inviting hidden gem of ornament and spectacle between two existing buildings. A once overlooked pedestrian walkway is reactivated to the public and transformed into a moment of discovery. The arcade synchronously serves as a transition point between the two city streets and the Art Nouveau revival of the restaurant; a mere introduction to the interior space awaiting one’s entry. The floor has been hand-crafted in half inch mosaic Carrara Marble tiles following custom organic patterns. A palette of neutral colors blend with the existing brick flooring and glass wall surroundings. As this space was intended for outdoor use in dining, year-round functionality is also addressed by integrating a heated floor system below the mosaic tiling.
INTERIOR/ When entering La Grande Boucherie through the main arcade entrance, one is greeted with a spectacle of ornament and Art Nouveau revival. Central to the entrance is the main bar, above which is integrated an antique, 150 year old decorative ceiling. This ceiling is incorporated into an undulating system of archways that embellish the ceiling throughout the space. This vaulted ceiling is the culmination of a design process using multi-disciplinary fabrication and incorporating both traditional methods of craftsmanship and modern parametric technology.
INTERIOR/ When entering La Grande Boucherie through the main arcade entrance, one is greeted with a spectacle of ornament and Art Nouveau revival. Central to the entrance is the main bar, above which is integrated an antique, 150 year old decorative ceiling. This ceiling is incorporated into an undulating system of archways that embellish the ceiling throughout the space. This vaulted ceiling is the culmination of a design process using multi-disciplinary fabrication and incorporating both traditional methods of craftsmanship and modern parametric technology.
INTERIOR/ From the central entrance and bar, the restaurant splits into two zones, each a reinterpretation of early 20th century Parisian dining. On the north is the informal, casual dining while on the south, through the stained glass doors is the formal dining room. Both sides of the restaurant include mezzanine seating and are designed with their respective ambiences in mind. The north and south side of the restaurant incorporates a brasserie style, oyster bar, subway tile-clad walls and artwork reflective of the joie de vivre era of 1920’s Paris. By contrast, the right and north side of the restaurant incorporates a charcuterie bar, oak clad walls and floors, integrated booth seating and artwork reflective of the more refined and formal aspects of the Belle Époque era.
INTERIOR/ From the central entrance and bar, the restaurant splits into two zones, each a reinterpretation of early 20th century Parisian dining. On the north is the informal, casual dining while on the south, through the stained glass doors is the formal dining room. Both sides of the restaurant include mezzanine seating and are designed with their respective ambiences in mind. The north and south side of the restaurant incorporates a brasserie style, oyster bar, subway tile-clad walls and artwork reflective of the joie de vivre era of 1920’s Paris. By contrast, the right and north side of the restaurant incorporates a charcuterie bar, oak clad walls and floors, integrated booth seating and artwork reflective of the more refined and formal aspects of the Belle Époque era.
INTERIOR/ The floors throughout the space are a retrospective of Art Nouveau organic, plant forms, taking inspiration from the masters of Art Nouveau like Victor Horta and Antoni Gaudi. An intricate half inch mosaic tile flooring, similar to the arcade, is prevalent at the entrance and the south side of the restaurant, while the north side is an ornamented wood oak marquetry floor. All indoor lighting and chandeliers are designed in the same style as the exterior arcade lighting, displaying a reinterpretation of organic forms.
INTERIOR/ The floors throughout the space are a retrospective of Art Nouveau organic, plant forms, taking inspiration from the masters of Art Nouveau like Victor Horta and Antoni Gaudi. An intricate half inch mosaic tile flooring, similar to the arcade, is prevalent at the entrance and the south side of the restaurant, while the north side is an ornamented wood oak marquetry floor. All indoor lighting and chandeliers are designed in the same style as the exterior arcade lighting, displaying a reinterpretation of organic forms.
CEILING/ This extraordinary vaulted ceiling is a glorious symbol of the legendary great cafes of the «Belle Époque». The bouquets of ferns attached to the arches are all hand sculpted and cast in plaster which embraces moldings beams and columns. The plastered ceiling was hand finished with a custom gold patina effect which brings authenticity to the look and a warm feeling. Adapted to the architecture of the building, and to all of the oak cladded columns, over a hundred custom lamps and chandelier infuse the room with its harmonious champagne color.
CEILING/ This extraordinary vaulted ceiling is a glorious symbol of the legendary great cafes of the «Belle Époque». The bouquets of ferns attached to the arches are all hand sculpted and cast in plaster which embraces moldings beams and columns. The plastered ceiling was hand finished with a custom gold patina effect which brings authenticity to the look and a warm feeling. Adapted to the architecture of the building, and to all of the oak cladded columns, over a hundred custom lamps and chandelier infuse the room with its harmonious champagne color.
METAL WORK/ All metal railings and balconies were traditionally made in France, following Art Nouveau style and design inspired from one of the most iconic building in Paris “La Samaritaine”. The handrail are in French oak and a custom brass trim cover the top rail with a patina finish to provide a warm and elegant look. A hint of the Boucherie symbol “B” has been meticulously integrated throughout.
METAL WORK/ All metal railings and balconies were traditionally made in France, following Art Nouveau style and design inspired from one of the most iconic building in Paris “La Samaritaine”. The handrail are in French oak and a custom brass trim cover the top rail with a patina finish to provide a warm and elegant look. A hint of the Boucherie symbol “B” has been meticulously integrated throughout.
GLASS SKYLIGHT/ A 150 year old piece directly coming from the famous “Les Puces”, flee market in Paris. This ornamental composition used to belong to a private estate next to the Opera Garnier and was salvaged before demolition to now have a second life at La Grande Boucherie. Each piece of the antic glass are hand painted. The design composition of the acanthus leaf and organic elements like the ferns can be also found in other areas of the restaurant.
GLASS SKYLIGHT/ A 150 year old piece directly coming from the famous “Les Puces”, flee market in Paris. This ornamental composition used to belong to a private estate next to the Opera Garnier and was salvaged before demolition to now have a second life at La Grande Boucherie. Each piece of the antic glass are hand painted. The design composition of the acanthus leaf and organic elements like the ferns can be also found in other areas of the restaurant.
BAR/ The 48 ft pewter bar resides in a central position, representing the symbol of the old world brasserie. The bar is made with a traditional tin technique from a third-generation French craftsmen, L’etainier. The bar is cast in an original mold to create its unique shape and hand polished to create its signature, smooth patina texture.
BAR/ The 48 ft pewter bar resides in a central position, representing the symbol of the old world brasserie. The bar is made with a traditional tin technique from a third-generation French craftsmen, L’etainier. The bar is cast in an original mold to create its unique shape and hand polished to create its signature, smooth patina texture.

Credits

Posted by
Interior Design
Julien Legeard
Photographer
Melissa Hom

From The Prestige Group

LA GRANDE BOUCHERIE, designed by Julien Legeard (The Prestige Group) and Emil Stefkov (Owner), aims to become a Parisian square in Midtown and one of the most authentically French dining destinations in Manhattan. Located at 145 West 53rd Street, the restaurant stretches the entire block of 6 ½ Avenue of the Americas. This one-of-a-kind brasserie is inspired by the elegant and ornamental Art Nouveau style, which evokes the optimism from the turn of the century, transported to present-day New York. The gallery (outdoor plaza) is stretching from the length of the block, open at each end, and features a soaring, arched skylight and a heated floor. This enables the restaurant to offer year-round outdoor seating options for 150 diners. Inside, La Grande Boucherie has been built to accommodate more than 400 diners in the dining room, bar and mezzanine areas. This makes La Grande Boucherie the biggest outdoor dining area in New York City.