new york, new york
designed by Josh Nathanson
Worldwide Prototype
Legendary Restaurant Brands came to JCG to “break the box” and create a more relevant designs for their concepts to better meet the tastes of a younger, more urban market of customers. In designing the new prototypes [Bennigan's, Bennigan On-The-Fly and Steak&Ale], everything was completely revamped. The JCG team not only created the new building prototypes but also all the new operational layouts, interiors, selected logos and all the branded icon elements. Since their implementation the new prototypes have been a tremendous success worldwide with new locations being built from Dallas to Dubai.
3-D renderings done by outside firm
Bennigan's Exterior Design
Bennigan's Interior Design
Fishkill, New York
"An urban sports bar with a focus on food" was the only direction the owners had for their new restaurant. The design team had to come up with a name that not only felt urban but also slightly evoked a sports bar. "Grand Centro Grill" was the perfect balance. Not only did the team set the design direction for the interior, they also tied in the logo and restaurant graphics. On the interior, a higher grade of finishes were used and detailing became an important element to insure that the restaurant maintained an inviting dining experience. The main seating area was raised to provide some dining separation, but was kept open so everyone could still benefit from the excitement at the bar. Grand Centro has been a home run since its opening.
photo's by Blueflash Commercial
Riverhead, NY
Originally flagged as a Best Western the existing building had a strong mid-century architectural styling but had become worn and abused. Wanting to remain within that period while also enhancing the architecture the team designed a new porte cochere, stone trellis and branded glass mosaic shell as the hallmark guest entry experience. With new covered patios, a fire tower, pool lounge and wedding arbors the property was completely transformed. Also charged with renovating all the interior spaces to include the restaurant, banquette facilities and guest-rooms the property now feels like a Palm Desert spa. JCG was awarded renovation of the year from InterContinental Hotels and the design established the Gold Standard Guideline from IHG for low rise properties joining the Indigo brand of hotels.
designed while at MND
New York, NY
Located across from Columbia University the restaurant had to appeal to a diverse range of visually charged students. Needing to grab attention and entice excitement for some of the most demanding customers in the world, murals were created to cover all the walls in very bold Anime illustrative styling. Using rich stone tiles, exotic woods and theater projectors as wall sconces, projecting“good luck” symbols onto floating acoustic clouds, the space screams of energy. Lastly along with the new logo, icon symbols were created highlighting all the different restaurant service vehicles.
designed while at MND
Bethlehem, PA
As part of the Sands Casino, JCG created the name, logo graphics and re-designed the existing bar, buffet and a la carte restaurant. Located in the re-purposed steel forging complex, the design utilized a range of metals as banding between the mix of finish materials. Millwork was layered and offset creating interest to the service line, laser cut light fixtures doubling as signage were hung at varied heights from acoustic panels and beautiful food photography showcased the buffet offerings. To soften the edge, upholstered booths were mixed with warm wood seating and colorful hand painted murals in the WPA style depicting the process of forging steel. Since its opening Steelworks has become the largest grossing concept in our clients inventory of restaurants.
Cortlandt Manor, NY
Established over 40 years ago, At the Reef had become old and outdated. JCG was hired to completely transform the restaurant to attract a new, younger customer. Having to work with the recently completed copper roof, JCG was free to change everything else. First we created the new name based on the address, and started incorporating that into exterior. The exterior was transformed with new colors and finishes as well as adding vertical square tubing in groups of nine which were randomly spaced, giving the exterior a level of playfulness. The interior was transformed creating a new bar and lounge area that opened into the main dining areas. The vaulted ceilings were filled with branded custom "9" lights which hung in clusters in the center, while the perimeter soffit glowed with chrome letters that reflected food and drink offerings.
www.table9.com
some photo's by Blueflash Commercial
Albany, NY
From the lit alabaster bar, warm mahogany paneling and tufted upholstered booths to the photo blow-ups of movie stars, the lounge and dining rooms sooth patrons under the the glow of cream and blue pendants hanging from vaulted ceilings. Whether enjoying a chocolate martini or an aged butcher cut chop the designers brought Palm Springs Rat Pack to the Crossgates Mall.
designed while at MND
photos by Warren Jagger Photography
Waltham, MA
Being a chef and avid traveler with many excursions to South America our client wanting to use large woven tapestries he had purchased during his travels. These tapestries depicting the fish of South America formed the core for the direction and palette. With burnt orange being the predominate color, the team offset this by using exotic dark woods for millwork and patterned divider screens separating the dining areas. Banquette seating was upholstered in a bold graphic fabric and the chairs had woven leather backs. Mixing this with hand glazed bricks and hammered metal lights Tempo brings the Amazon to Moody Street.
photo's by Warren Jagger Photography
