Ark Restaurant Group commissioned Jeffrey Beers International (JBI) to renovate this large, iconic restaurant on the banks of the Potomac River. JBI modernized the interior and designed a new "destination" bar on the dining level that creates a visual presence through the windows to the plaza outside. Jeffrey Beers envisioned the ‘new’ Sequoia as an avant-garde space to showcase the client’s contemporary art, while always remaining mindful that this gallery-like space is and must still function as a restaurant.
Arrival Experience
• Collaborating with graphic designer Patricia Spencer (PSDNYC), JBI highlights the new SEQUOIA logo design on new wall that partially encloses the stair leading up to the main dining level. It was an important design directive to enhance the visual presence of SEQUOIA through the existing storefront at the plaza's street level.
• Brooklyn artist Isidro Blasco’s three-dimensional wall-mounted collage announces the restaurant’s distinctive, art-filled ambience in the foyer.
• Elevator cab redesigned to feature rear wall with digital image of Arne Quinze artwork; a ‘teaser’ that enables guests to see one of his works up close and whet the appetite for the massive sculpture installed on the terrace.
Main Dining Room
• JBI designed custom host station in grey Caesarstone, back painted white glass with inlaid brass details.
• Designed new, 50-foot-long, gently curved bar on the main dining level. Dark grey Cae-sarstone top with white terrazzo face that blends into the bar area floor and incorporates inlaid brass accents.
o Located along the long window wall, glass and brass bar back shelving will glow and act as a beacon, calling additional attention to the restaurant.
o Radial shape of bar softly echoes curve of terraces and outdoor plaza
• Vibrant gem stone color palette of upholstered dining chairs contrasts with white walls.
• Ark Restaurant founder Michael Weinstein purchased Sol LeWitt art certificates, which allow him to use foundation certified artist(s) to replicate specific Sol LeWitt artwork in multiple spaces throughout the restaurant.
• Artist David Higginbotham introduces hand-applied graphite finishes (similar to “Impasto” – a painting technique that layers paint very thick on canvas) across the dining room walls, bulkhead above the platform dining and other areas.
• New sheer drapery along west/southwest wall, carefully illuminated with architectural lighting, helps soften the space.
• Japanese light artist Hitoshi Kuriyama designed an expansive installation that commands the two-story dining room without obstructing views from this level or the mezzanine.
o First US and largest ever project for artist, comprises 913 custom-fabricated glass and 200 neon tubes suspended in a ‘path and branches’ across the dining room ceiling
o Spans more than 125 feet across the main dining space
Banquet Room
• New custom designed Makore-wood doors with book-matched, figured wood grain accents establish a dramatic entry to the event space.
• Hand-applied graphite finish on entire entry wall
• New ‘art wall’ - TBD
• Custom-designed Shaw carpet features pattern loosely inspired by the work of New York artist Jacob Hashimoto with circles and oval geometries repeated in cool greys and blues.
• Multiple ‘starburst’ chandeliers evoke the classic light fixture at Metropolitan Opera
• Removed a permanent bar and expanded the usable footprint, creating a more flexible space for private events.
• New drapery, sheers and blackout shades to support audio/visual presentations
Mezzanine
• Transformed Mezzanine bar to lounge and dining area with flexibility for private dining
• New lounge area features arm chairs in neutral grey fabric accompanied by metal and glass cocktail tables
• Sol LeWitt line drawing on along the curved wall of the Mezzanine dining area, while graph-ite-finished bulkhead wraps across additional wall on this level
• Replaced existing nautical-inspired railing with sleek frameless glass railing that features gradient frosting that transitions form white to clear, resembling a "low floating mist"
• Soft sheer draper provides visual privacy
Terrace
• JBI master planned the renovation of the large stepped terraces cascading down to Wash-ington Harbor, replacing all flooring, pavers and hand rails and repositioning stairs
• Designed expansive new bar with wood grain porcelain tile back and face and deep green fabric awning; all new furniture at this bar level.
• New dark powder coated metal planter boxes line the terrace level changes. All new archi-tectural railing design features hand rails with integrated lighting that will illuminate the planter boxes.
• New charcoal grey umbrellas and reupholstered existing outdoor furniture
• Belgian artist Arne Quinze creating 40-foot-tall metal tree sculpture, ‘Natural Chaos,’ for terrace
