The Hippodrome is the busiest single theatre in the UK. After the pandemic the Hippodrome wanted to drive their F & B proposition to drive incremental revenue and elevate the theatre experience for customers by enjoying the Circle Lounge before, during & after performances. They approached to 2G for a full Restaurant & Bar design in Birmingham.
The Circle Lounge was to be designed to be a space that was a haven to an array of customers at different times of the day. The space needed to have it’s own identity, and be a unique proposition…….it should feel like a Hippodrome hosted experience.
Customers love the heritage aspect of the Hippodrome and the stakeholders were keen that this was incorporated in the designs. The space needed flexibility for events and to address issues with storage and acoustics. Due to its location, on the top floor, it must to entice people and ensure return visits. The Hippodrome wanted cozy restaurant fit out solutions perfectly matched with fine dining restaurant design.
The Challenge
Key challenges were that the space needed to be accessible for all, so enough space between tables but also flexibility for corporate events and for poetry/readings/music yet a piano to also permanently be here.
Another main challenge were the acoustics, with the entrance being below and it being a mezzanine restaurant with a void at the front and at the side, the noise just travelled up
The complete array of visitors was also a challenge as the Circle lounge needed to resonate & engage with a large spectrum of the population. With an array of local eating establishments on the doorstep it needed to entice all people in to try & enjoy.·
Flexibility and accessibility was key as the space will be used by larger parties and also divided up for events. Accessibility for all users is crucial, i.e. wheelchair users, so all feel entirely welcome and comfortable.
The space is quite dark with little natural light and the existing space was very tired and looked more towards an airport lounge than a high-end culinary experience.
Our Solution
We created an interior design solution that would provide comfort and luxury yet with accessibility for all at the forefront.
A mixture of seating and table sizes allowed for different occasions and clientele. Focussed on a number of accent lighting and all dimmable to switch from day to night to allow for the different times of day and atmosphere. LED strip lighting used on the bar and large waiter station.
As restaurant renovation experts we know that working on the acoustics was imperative and we implemented many techniques. Filling in the side void was key to helping acoustically, we put up a stud wall in front of the existing glass balustrade to cancel out the noise from the entrance space. We zoned areas with flooring, using a mix mosaic feature tile around the bar, a parquet lvt flooring in the centre and carpet around the fixed seating and at the front mezzanine area of the restaurant to absorb where the majority of the noise came from. Upholstered furniture was key for comfort and helping acoustically and Acoustic wooden panelling was also used throughout.
We took out the existing suspended ceiling panels to open up the space, this made the ceilings feel higher and made the space feel lighter, all ceilings were painted white. With the panels taken out we framed these with black acoustic foam and used a feature wallpaper down the centre.
Antique effect mirrors were added above the long bank of poseur height fixed seating – the antique effect ensured customers weren’t looking straight at themselves and the mirror was crucial to helping the light really bounce around the room and brighten the space.
A whole new glass frontage was added in replace of existing voils, this sectioned off the space helping with noise and security and to give a more private feel to the space. Glass was used to ensure people felt welcome into the space.
Lots of accent lighting and all dimmable to switch from day to night to allow for the different times of day and atmosphere. LED strip lighting used on the bar and large waiter station.
We add a host station at the front to welcome guests and the restaurant will be table service.
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