Local Food Revolution: Daniel Reed Hospitality

HOSPITALITY

LOCAL FOOD REVOLUTION: DANIEL REED HOSPITALITY

One of the best aspects of practicing architecture is that every day is different. Likewise, every client is different. Building authentic partnerships with clients, in fact, is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Some clients come with the germ of an idea and want to turn it over to the architect to create a building to bring their idea to life.

Other clients come with vision boards and magazine clippings, having a good grasp of the design elements they want and hoping that the architect can turn these elements into a cohesive design.

ARTILLERY BAR

It is the rare client, however, who shows up with a design in hand, complete with 3-D models and finish selections and a plan for bespoke hand-made light fixtures.

ROBBY PERKINS, JAMIE DURRENCE

SOHO SOUTH

Robby Perkins is exactly that client. As Creative Director of Daniel Reed Hospitality, a driving force in Savannah’s elite food scene, Robby Perkins knows design, and he knows restaurants. Robby graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture, and is responsible for all aspects of visual communication from interior design to branding and marketing. His partner Jamie Durrence, Managing Partner of Daniel Reed Hospitality, also brings substantial design credentials as a SCAD graduate who honed his skills in the New York fashion industry. Together, they have elevated Savannah’s renowned food scene with multiple concepts known for their impeccable designs and finely crafted menus rooted in the local food culture.

ARTILLERY BAR

LS3P’s Savannah office was very familiar with Daniel Reed Hospitality’s reputation, having enjoyed memorable meals at the group’s highly successful restaurants. Local 11ten, which opened in 2007 and is famous for its local, seasonal dishes, operates out of a renovated former bank. The Perch, a popular rooftop bar nestled up high among the treetops, overlooks the street through a filter of oak branches.

These spaces blend the history and patina of old buildings with modern finishes and a strong design aesthetic, not to mention world-class food. So, when Robby approached LS3P in 2012 about a new concept which would transform a dilapidated souvenir shop into a high-end concept called The Public Kitchen and Bar, the architects responded with a resounding “yes.”

THE PUBLIC KITCHEN AND BAR

BEFORE

THE PUBLIC KITCHEN AND BAR

THE PUBLIC KITCHEN AND BAR

The project site offered a rare opportunity to reclaim a prominent corner on two of Savannah’s most visible streets, Liberty and Bull Streets. The location was a gem, though the existing building needed substantial work. The property, which in 1888 was a walled garden, had undergone many iterations over the years through a series of ad-hoc additions and renovations. Over time, the structure had accrued various awnings which diminished its rhythmic window details, and suffered the indignity of an unfortunate corner angle which literally eroded its street presence.

The building was a bit of an eyesore.

BEFORE

Furthermore: the building was small. 2,187 square feet, to be exact, which is a constrained footprint for a bar and restaurant with full kitchen and adequate seating for patrons. The team, however, had a detailed plan in mind to fit the entire program within the space, and, with some minor technical maneuvering, the plan worked.

Once the detritus of the former retail operation was demolished, the kitchen and service spaces could be slipped into the rear of the building, leaving open-plan space for the full bar and seating.

THE PUBLIC KITCHEN AND BAR

To minimize clutter within the small space, the design conceals mechanical and electrical systems in a signature sweeping mahogany arched soffit, designed by Robby, which flows below the beams and provides a more intimate experience at the bar. Seating spills out onto the sidewalk, taking advantage of Savannah’s mild year-round climate. Robby’s clear vision and interior design aesthetic is visible in every detail, including the distinctive light fixtures he made from brass tubing, a beautiful contemporary addition which appears timeless. LS3P provided technical expertise, code experience, and permitting assistance to make sure Robby’s vision and design for the space could be fully realized.

The renovation also led to a major exterior transformation, not only for The Public but also for the entire urban “street room” impacted by the corner. The new design reinstated the original prominent corner, and replicated the historic window patterns which contribute so authentically to the street’s rhythm at a pedestrian scale. Individual awnings which highlight the restored window openings replaced the faded continuous awning, completely transforming the building’s street presence. The team worked closely with Savannah’s Historic District Board of Review to get the details right, and the result was a revitalized thoroughfare as well as a culinary destination.

THE PUBLIC KITCHEN AND BAR

SOHO SOUTH

SOHO SOUTH

The team’s next opportunity to work together arose in 2013, when Daniel Reed Hospitality purchased local brunch institution Soho South. The group wanted to keep some of the classic, upscale comfort food dishes that made it famous while adding a new aesthetic to both the menu and the décor. The restaurant occupied a reclaimed a 1945-era auto service station, and was filled with tchotchkes and assorted mismatched art. Robby brought his expertise to the task of streamlining and unifying the space, maintaining its hospitality and charm while re-imagining the décor for a more upscale experience.

The lofty exposed structure and massive historic windows make the expansive dining area as suitable for elegant events as for casual lunches, and LS3P was once again excited to provide architectural support for the renovation (and complete it quickly so that everyone could get back to enjoying their brunches.)

SOHO SOUTH

BEFORE

ARTILLERY BAR

ARTILLERY BAR

With two successful collaborations in the books, LS3P’s Savannah team was delighted to work with Robby and Daniel Reed Hospitality again in 2016. The project, an upscale bar on the same block as The Public, would restore one of the city’s most distinctive buildings and treasured landmarks. The building was constructed in 1897 by the Georgia Hussars, a storied mounted volunteer militia unit dating back to the Revolutionary War. With an ornate and unusual Venetian Gothic terra cotta storefront which may have been ordered and assembled from a catalog, the building was originally used as munitions storage for the Hussars, inspiring the name “Artillery Bar.” Like The Public’s original structure, the existing building had become a retail storefront: behind the soaring pointed arches lay a dated Christmas shop, carpeted and cramped with shelving.

BEFORE

Robby was able to see beyond the flagging retail space and articulate a rich, detailed, inviting vision for the bar. Outside, the beautiful terra cotta required little more than cleaning, and a cracked curved plate glass window was meticulously replicated.

Inside, demolition revealed existing brick walls, historic woodwork, and a very compact footprint. Robby’s concept for the interior incorporated elements of late 19th century eclecticism and romanticism inspired by the original storefront, with contemporary pieces to create a sophisticated atmosphere for patrons.

ARTILLERY BAR

Because Artillery Bar creates an enclave with an intimate vibe, the small 1,843 square foot space perfectly accommodated Robby’s vision. No restaurant kitchen was required, freeing up more space for hospitality. Robby’s design fitted a wine cellar among the exposed brick walls with steel frame windows for a sense of transparency, and tucked a variety of seating options into every niche.

BEFORE

With such a clear design vision as a starting point, the architectural team was able to support and facilitate Robby’s design intent in the face of minor code and technical challenges; for example, intentionally constraining the seating areas to accommodate less than 50 people to work within egress restrictions.

The bar itself is a showstopper, with classic detailing and a bookmatched marble backbar. Herringbone ceiling tile adds visual interest, while the flooring echoes the original wide plank wood that once anchored the space. The team concealed the exposed mechanical and electrical systems that crowded the former space, and replicated or repaired all trim. As soon as Artillery Bar opened, it became a prime destination, often with a waiting list to secure a seat and try a signature cocktail.

ARTILLERY BAR

The opening of Artillery Bar was just one of the major events Daniel Reed Hospitality celebrated in 2016. The Georgia Restaurant Association named Jamie “Restauranteur of the Year” for the state of Georgia- which also marked the first time in history that the award went to a nominee outside of Atlanta. The group’s reputation had traveled far outside of Savannah’s city limits.

BEFORE

THE PUBLIC AT PHIPPS PLAZA

THE PUBLIC AT PHIPPS PLAZA

In 2017 a second location for The Public, and Daniel Reed Hospitality’s first foray into Atlanta, brought about a new set of challenges: those of working within an upscale mall which was to remain operational during the entire construction process.

Undaunted, the team worked with in the mall’s very particular requirements and a unique set of space constraints. Robby created a clear aesthetic vision and detailed layout for the new space, and together, the team problem-solved through the technical challenges of coordinating plumbing for the kitchen and restrooms in a space with structural beams for the parking garage below; working around the massive ducts crossing overhead which served a mall corridor; coordinating mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems with another restaurant tenant moving into the space directly above; coordinating with a mall façade renovation and elevator installation in progress; and facilitating a new outdoor seating area with the City of Atlanta.

BEFORE

THE PUBLIC AT PHIPPS PLAZA

The project involved more regulatory approvals, representatives, and authorities than most, and Robby and the architectural team weathered the additional challenges of completing a project in one city while living in another. The polished end result, however, carries out Robby’s midcentury modern concept with his inspired interior design that looks right at home with the mall’s high-fashion neighbors. As in its sister restaurant in Savannah, a curved walnut veneer element transitions from vertical to horizontal over the bar, framing and defining the space. A monumental fireplace anchors the dining area, and a raised-seating platform creates a comfortable human-scale space for conversation and dining (even if it required a bit of design ingenuity due to the mechanical duct configuration.) Impeccably curated 1960’s-inspired furnishings combine with marble, wood, and brass to create a welcoming oasis where patrons want to linger.

After four successful collaborations with Daniel Reed Hospitality, LS3P’s Savannah office thoroughly enjoys working with Robby and Jamie. While few clients join the architectural team for the downand-dirty processes such as measuring the existing space for demo drawings, Robby’s approach is hands-on from conceptual design through construction administration. It’s a delight to work with a client who’s involved enough to hold a measuring tape, create 3-D models, and talk about bulkheads and duct work.

While every client is a vital part of the design team, it’s unusual to work with a client who arrives with an architecture degree and a fully articulated interior design for the project. Unusual, and exciting- and the partnership allowed Robby’s talents and vision to shine, and LS3P to provide project support in navigating code and technical issues.

THE PUBLIC AT PHIPPS PLAZA

Daniel Reed Hospitality continues to thrive, and with multiple successful concepts in Savannah and a new foothold in the Atlanta market, the region can look forward to many more delicious meals to come.

ARCHITECTURE BY LS3P INTERIORS BY ROBBY PERKINS

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ATTIC FIRE (ARTILLERY BAR & THE PUBLIC AT PHIPPS PLAZA) ADAM KUEHL PHOTOGRAPHY (SOHO SOUTH)