Chicago — Offshore, a 52,300-square-foot rooftop deck, has opened on the third floor of Chicago’s Navy Pier. The Guinness Book of World Records has named the establishment “the world’s largest rooftop deck.” KOO, a Chicago-based architecture and commercial interior design firm, designed Offshore to allow guests experience a luxurious “cruise” for the price of a meal or drink. The deck includes a bar, kitchen, terraces, seven fire pits, an entertainment and gaming area and multiple gathering spaces. Culinary direction for Offshore is led by Executive Chef Michael Shrader. Modern American …
construction and design
Canton, Mass. — Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, has signed a multi-unit agreement to develop 10 new locations across Upstate New York, including in Syracuse and the Southern Tier, in addition to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. With a portfolio of 40 Dunkin’ restaurants and one multi-brand location, the deal was signed with franchisees Bapa Chambers Rd Ice Cream, LLC. The first store of the 10-unit deal opened in Horseheads, N.Y., in mid-July. The Horseheads Baskin-Robbins marks the brand’s first stand-alone “Moments” store location to open east of …
— By Dan Brickner — Now trending: right-sizing and reducing the store footprint with smaller-format stores. Retailers have discovered there is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” approach to market expansion. As a result, astute retailers are “right-sizing” their retail footprints and introducing small-store formats that are tailored to specific demographics in both urban and suburban areas. Through available data, retailers have the ability to tailor smaller store formats and curate their merchandising to better serve the needs of their customers. Take a look at how small-format stores are redefining retail real …
New York City — Bona Design Lab, a global retail design and consulting firm based in New York City, has been recognized by the Retail Design Institute for the store design it created for ENEX, the licensee for Shell brand fuels and lubricants in Chile and operator of service stations as well as convenience stores under the Upa! and Upita! brands. The design was one of the finalists in the “Class of 2018 Winners” named by the Retail Design Institute in its 48th annual Store of the Year competition. The …
Houston — The Rustic plans to bring its farm-fresh fare and Texas-sized selection of wine, spirits and beer, served alongside live music 7 days a week, to the west side of Houston. Located at 1121 Uptown Park Blvd. in Houston’s Uptown Park, the 27,000-square-foot venue broke ground on Aug. 1 and is anticipated to open in February 2020. The Rustic is the brainchild of Kyle Noonan, Josh Sepkowitz and Texas country artist Pat Green, whose love of the outdoors and live music helped bring The Rustic to life. The result …
Fort Myers, Fla. — GATES Construction has completed multiple projects at Daniels Marketplace located at the crossing of Daniels and Six Mile Cypress parkways in Fort Myers, Fla. The project buildouts include Club Pilates, Paradise Grill, Tide Dry Cleaners, Uh-Maze Bowls, Pearle Vision and Hand & Stone Spa. Design services are provided by Wakefield Beasley & Associates and Hand & Stone Franchise Corp. For over 25 years, GATES has provided construction management, general contracting and design-build services. Its diverse portfolio of commercial, healthcare, multi-family, club and hospitality, institutional and special …
— By Jim Arabia — Grocery stores in particular generate big boosts in sales from refreshing and remodeling. The fear of online shopping overtaking in-store purchases certainly hasn’t hit the grocery market yet, with a Gallup poll showing 84% of U.S. shoppers never buy their food from the internet. With that in mind, many retailers — not just grocery stores — are ensuring their physical store is keeping pace with customer needs, through remodeling and introducing more technology for a better shopping experience. Indeed, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing …
Round Rock, Texas — The Twin Peaks restaurant in Round Rock, Texas, which first opened in 2008, recently reopened after a significant remodel. Twin Peaks updated its interior to provide the best experience possible for its guests. Restaurant renovations include a complete revamp of the bar for more seating, an increase of beer taps from 12 to 24 and expanded bourbon and whiskey offerings. In addition, dining areas have been updated with larger communal tables, a modernized furniture and décor package and completely remodeled restrooms to include all new modern …
Dallas — Mimi’s, the popular French-inspired concept, will change its name to Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery. After 41 years in business, the brand is modernizing its restaurants, menus and approach to create an even better experience for loyal patrons and welcome a new era of guests to the table at Mimi’s. “Creating a new name and face for Mimi’s has been a long overdue and exciting experience for our team,” says Philippe Jean, chief operating officer for Le Duff America, Inc. “We are ready for a fresh phase that strengthens …
Miami — Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) has arranged $550 million in financing for the expansion of the iconic Bal Harbour Shops, a 463,114-square-foot, open-air, luxury shopping destination anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus along Miami Beach in Bal Harbour, Fla. The loan, borrowed by Whitman Family Development, is one of the largest construction loans ever to close in Miami. Loan proceeds will be used to retire an existing loan and expand Bal Harbour Shops by an additional 300,000 square feet, including a 57,414-square-foot space to be occupied …