Client: Himmel Hospitality Group and Chef Michael Lomonaco

Overview

Himmel Hospitality Group and Chef Michael Lomonaco partnered to open Hudson Yards Grill. The restaurant embodies NYC’s vibrant energy and diverse culture, more specifically, the burgeoning Hudson Yards neighborhood it resides in, and showcases bright colors and an expansive selection of modern art throughout the restaurant.
The restaurant features a large open-kitchen, combined booth and table seating, a custom-built island bar and an intricate wooden trellis suspended above the dining area. Black granite floors and deep walnut walls are complemented by red leather-clad booths, and bronze and copper accents, creating a warm atmosphere that feels familiar the moment guests arrive.

Goals

Hudson Yards Grill’s art collection, curated by Melissa Twomey of VisionArt Consulting, offers guests a museum-like experience with over a dozen paintings and sculptures by acclaimed artists like Sol Lewitt and Damon Hyldreth. Bentel & Bentel Architects had very few physical walls or windows in the raw space, so the creative team used large murals and bright pops of color to create boundaries and borders within the restaurant. These art installations serve two purposes - enhancing the overarching visual experience while also defining the space and creating a sense of place for guests. Specific paintings that connect guests with New York City and the historic Hudson Yards neighborhood include a vibrant mural of the Hudson River by Carole Bolsey. These strategic art selections are intended to create theoretical windows to the surrounding neighborhood.

Process

The architects have a strong belief that art is not decoration on a wall, but can define a space. 2D or 3D artwork has the potential to give character to a location. In addition, the color of a piece can change the perception of an interior space. These architects use art to convey an opening in a windowless wall or to create a focus for a group of restaurant patrons to distinguish their seating area from another seating group. Textures, like the ceiling trellis, can also be considered art.

The restaurateur, the chef, the architects, and art consultant all collaborated from the start of the project with a desire to included varied artworks to give character to similar seating areas. Sculpture was used to create a major focus within sections of the restaurant. Sculpture was used as a wayfinding device denoting entry for example.

Additional Information

The grill's front, on a retail concourse, promises a respite from the sleekness of the retail development. A screen of dark-stained wood louvers, with bright colors filtering through, hints at an interior recalling an energetic Manhattan. The lighting plays a major role in creating a sense of intimacy, directing pools of light on table-tops and accenting the artwork against a purposefully dark background. The contrast of that lighting with black-painted ceilings, black-granite floors, and dark walnut walls provides a feeling of privacy at each table with a focus on specific artwork in each restaurant section.