location:

New York, NY

firm role:

Interior Design

scale:

10,000 SF

synopsis:

Bluebird London at the Time Warner Center translates an established UK brand and restaurant to its first outpost in New York City. The design of the restaurant is inspired by Britain’s most creative midcentury era, fusing a New York attitude with the irreverent spirit of the UK through the use of color, pattern, art and culture.

Adapting to the existing deep, winding site, the design is conceived as a procession of distinct spaces with a curated art selection to support and provide continuity between a variety of dining experiences - café/wine bar, gallery, bar area, main dining room and private dining area.

The entrance, open to the shops at Columbus Circle, is defined by a café with a curved hand-painted feature wall that leads to cubist sculptures inspired by the English ‘mod-aesthetic.’ On the opposite wall, 3-dimensional framed line portraits made of sculptured wire inspire the gallery space.  The lounge, bar and main dining areas follow with distinctive features including a snaking green banquette in the lounge, and a focal bar featuring a glowing acrylic silhouette of an iconic pop ponytail overlooking the main dining area with views to Central Park. Bespoke furnishings, upholsteries and carpets draw from important UK influences including textile pioneer Celia Birtwell and painter Bridget Riley, whose work inspired the custom rug geometries and colors in the main dining room.

photo credits:

Evan Sung