HapstakDemetriou+ was presented with the very difficult task of inserting a tavern concept into the ground floor of an unattractive existing office condo building. The previous tenant was a bank with a drive-thru kiosk situated in the rear of the lot among a condo parking lot and overgrown trees. Programming calls for a large outdoor deck due to the adjacency to a nearby bike trail and outdoor activities while limited to the rear of the lot amongst the parking area. The initial design process focused on understanding the approach with site constraints. Almost all patron parking is offered in the rear of the building among the drive-thru presenting a challenge of “which is the front” upon arrival but in need of street front visibility. The result was to create a two-sided restaurant energized by two separate supporting bars and patio spaces serviced by a central kitchen. While visitors are being forced to enter from the back-side parking, the energy of the street front-facing bar and patio does not diminish the impact of the frontage. Drive-thru kiosk converted as an enclosed dining space spilling into the rear patio also provides energy to the rear. Or is it the front?
