New York studio Rockwell Group has put a fresh spin on the city’s only revolving restaurant, renovating the interiors with stylistic references to the Broadway theatre district below.
The View occupies the 47th and 48th floors of the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, which was designed by late architect John Portman and first opened in 1985.
Rockwell Group was tasked by Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) to reimagine the lower-level restaurant and the bar and lounge above, both of which have a circular floor plate and enjoy impressive 360-degree views over Manhattan.
“To transform the space, Rockwell Group imagined the interior architecture as both a stage and viewing platform,” said the project team.
The restaurant makes a full rotation over the course of an hour, while the bar takes 45 minutes to complete its 360-degree revolution.
While seated in the sunken booths or at two-top tables on the upper floor, guests slowly move past various “stations” located in the central core.
These include the main bar area, which is backed by tall, illuminated display cases that echo the skyline they face. A large globe-shaped light hangs above the counter, emitting a soft glow over those seated on cushioned bar stools.
A raw bar serving fresh seafood and small stages for live music performances also appear along the route as the floor spins.
The carpet and upholstery on this level is a rich navy blue, while downstairs the colour is swapped for a deep red reminiscent of the interior favoured by late film director David Lynch.
Materials including lustrous Venetian plaster, faceted antique mirrors and deep velvet blue drapery reminiscent of stage curtains all add to the theatrical atmosphere.
“On both floors, a series of overlapping concentric circles on the ceiling create points of reference that are constantly changing as the restaurant makes its revolutions,” said the team.
“These arcing paths were inspired by the activity down below at the street level – the constant movement and choreography of cars, trains, and people.”
Due to the movement, no electrical wiring can be run through the flooring to the dining and lounge areas.
Spherical accent lamps therefore have large battery packs hidden within the burl wood consoles they sit upon, while smaller table lights are also battery-powered.
The restaurant serves a menu of American classics to evoke a “nostalgic feeling of old New York”, and the beverage program includes collaborations with local institutions Katz’s Delicatessen and Magnolia Bakery.
“It’s your new ‘night out on the town’ where the floor just happens to rotate,” said USHG founder and executive chairman Danny Meyer.
Rockwell Group founder David Rockwell has close ties with Broadway, having designed multiple sets for productions including Legally Blonde and Kinky Boots, and won a prestigious Tony Award for his set for the musical She Loves Me in 2016.
His studio – which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year – is behind the interiors of hospitality spaces all over New York City, such as the restaurant inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center and a spot for Korean fried chicken in the Flatiron District.
The photography is by Jason Varney.
The post Rockwell Group reimagines revolving restaurant above Times Square appeared first on Dezeen.
