EVELYN A M ER I CAS
DALLAS / USA
B e spoke Te c h nolog y Grou p an d 1 SOUN D join f orc e s to outf it Da llas’ n ewest ven u e, a g lamorous loung e inspir ed b y a popu lar book, with a n audio syst em that’s str ik in g in both de sig n a nd soun d . Upon its release, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ quickly became a critically acclaimed bestseller. The OldHollywood-influenced story has since garnered a passionate fan base, only growing in relevance within the romance and drama genres to this day. One member of its following is a co-owner of Reach Hospitality, the organisation behind multiple upscale venues, who found that the novel made the perfect backdrop for their latest dining experience. The proposed space was to be an elegant steakhouse and lounge, located in Dallas’ Design District. With an aesthetic and atmosphere derived from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, the venue fittingly has seven different rooms and was named EVELYN. When it came to designing an audiovisual solution for EVELYN, Reach Hospitality pursued an alternative approach to the conventional model. Instead of first meeting with an installer, the company reached out to 1 SOUND, informing the manufacturer that they already knew they needed a 1 SOUND setup for their desired outcome. 1 SOUND subsequently introduced Reach to integrator Bespoke Technology Group, who entered the project in collaboration with the manufacturer’s CEO, Lou Mannarino. Phil Ayache, President of Bespoke Technology Group, recalled the beginning of the installation. “From the very first meeting with the owners and Lou, it became very apparent that every aspect of EVELYN was being built around having the greatest sound possible. The materials used to furnish and finish the rooms, and even the way the venue was constructed, it was all in aid of curating the best acoustic environment.” He continued, “For this project, the way the space sounded was the most important consideration. As an audiophile, I love working with clients who have this mindset.” Reach Hospitality had an extremely positive experience with 1 SOUND’s products before, which inspired this latest utilisation. Similarly, Ayache’s relationship with the brand was strong. “I first worked with 1 SOUND in 2021, and honestly, I haven’t looked back,” he noted. “It’s always going to be my go-to manufacturer. It also helps that Lou is so great. He’s an absolute wizard of an audio engineer who really cares about the acoustics.” When it came to positioning the 1 SOUND systems for EVELYN, Ayache explained that the three main rooms, the dining room, the primary
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