Hospitality Happenings: Experience to Build Upon

We recently had the pleasure of working on the spectacular new lobby renovation for Kimpton’s Muse Hotel in New York. The two phased, 6,500 square foot, remodel of this boutique hotel’s lobby space took place while the hotel was fully operational and finished within a tight three month schedule.

The design called for some very cool and especially intricate elements including a virtual fire projection system, glass enclosed bronzed tree limbs, a reflective gold vaulted ceiling and a funky unisex bathroom with no fewer than 27 different types of tiles of varying finishes, sizes, and thickness. Significant procurement and pre-planning were a necessity for this project’s success – some of the more unusual design elements required a lead time of more than 20 weeks!

The project was not without its surprises – during demolition, the project team discovered large structural elements, previously unforeseen, which required a complete redesign of the back bar and lounge area. This could have been a major set-back, but the Shawmut project team took it in stride and the schedule was not impacted.

The Muse Hotel lobby was Shawmut’s first project with the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group and the marvelous designers, The Puccini Group. Shawmut was chosen for the project because of our commitment to meeting their challenging, phased schedule – coming in four weeks shorter than what was initially planned.

Oliver Hamm of Faithful and Gould, the Owner’s Representative, had this to say: “Everything ran very smoothly and we heard nothing but very positive feedback on the quality of workmanship and the speed the job was completed in.” He reflected on comments made by attendees of the successful trial run: “’I didn’t think it was possible’ was probably the quote of the night.”

Click here if you are interested in booking a room at the Muse (make sure to check out the fabulous new lobby while you are at it!)

We’d like to welcome Hakkasan stateside as they just officially opened in the completely renovated Fontainebleau Miami Beach property! The highly anticipated star studded grand opening was greeted with rave reviews and we couldn’t be happier for them. We were proud to partner with culinary super star, Alan Yau and French design firm, Gilles & Boissier, to bring the resort’s sleek and exotic oceanfront Chinese restaurant to life. It’s the first U.S. location of Britain’s only Michelin-rated Chinese restaurant.

Located atop the fourth floor of the resort’s spa, the 10,000 sf rooftop space provides guests with stunning views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean. The sleek décor includes custom silk light fixtures from Paris separated by screens of dark walnut, elaborate latticework, and hand-carved decorative teak panels illuminated by washes of dimmed lighting throughout.

Shawmut went to the ends of the earth to complete this project – literally! As this venture was the first U.S. location for the UK based restaurant group, it necessitated constant communication with multiple overseas parties in London, Paris and beyond as well as extensive worldwide material sourcing and coordination. The result is a truly magnificent space that successfully incorporates the chic ambiance of the initial London space with touches of Miami Beach extravagance which is sure to attract true foodies and the glamorous beach crowd alike.

Here’s some of the latest buzz:

http://www.urbandaddy.com/mia/food/2458/Hakkasan_Hakkasan_Opens_at_the_Fontainebleau_Miami_MIA_Restaurant

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2009/04/hakkasan_open_for_business.php

http://allpurposedark.blogspot.com/2009/04/hakkasan-miami-grand-opening.html

http://www.martiniboys.com/Miami/club-news-930-Hakkasan.html

We are thrilled to begin building the newest Hard Rock Cafe located in the heart of downtown Seattle near the famous Pike Place Market. Consistent with the Hard Rock’s “Save the Planet” initiative, the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle is being built to achieve LEED Certification which is not an easy feat in the restaurant world and we could not be happier. We strive to partner with companies such as the Hard Rock Cafe International who are as passionate about sustainable building and design as we are!

The new location will showcase rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia including items from many of Seattle’s most legendary musicians, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, Jimi Hendrix and many more.

Stay tuned for more details on this project as it progresses. In the meantime, click here for a sneak peek on Hard Rock’s newest location including artistic renderings.

As green building continues to receive more and more attention in the construction industry, we recognize this issue is becoming of greater importance to our clients. This is why we are especially excited to officially welcome Shayna Prunier as the newest Shawmut Hospitality team member. Shayna is not only our west coast Director of Business Development but she is a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Green Building Professional, Green Point Rater, and is extremely passionate about sustainable building and design. She has served as a consultant for residential and commercial projects on sustainable design and environmental issues and is eager to share her passion and extensive knowledge with Shawmut’s clients.  Shayna practices what she preaches as she is currently in the process of building her own fabulous green home consisting of numerous sustainable elements. Growing up in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts under the strong influence of her father has helped Shayna to become conscious and enthusiastic about preserving the environment. Shayna explains, “Our food came from the garden, we recycled, we composted, and the house was always kept cold for true energy efficiency.” She has a little bit of a head start in the sustainable living department and that’s why we are so pleased to have her helping us lead the green building charge in the hospitality industry.

Shawmut recently completed Rouge Tomate in NYC which incorporated sustainable elements in its design and construction.

While restaurant and hotel owners and operators are beginning to embrace sustainable building and design, Shawmut has been busy building a strong portfolio consisting of 23 LEED projects including the Platinum certified Yale University Sculpture Building. We have also compiled a team of seasoned LEED Accredited Professionals. We are beyond excited to bring our extensive experience and knowledge to the hospitality world.

The final decision to make a building a LEED or green project is in the client’s hands.  Although the number of LEED projects that Shawmut has built and or has under construction continues to grow, a majority of our projects do not have a goal of LEED certification.  We strive to make an impact on all projects, not just the projects whose clients and architects are committed to green.  We have several areas where we can directly impact the construction process, and three of these are major initiatives that Shawmut monitors and enforces on a company-wide basis:

• Construction & Demolition Waste Management:  We are currently launching an initiative that encourages our project teams to maximize C&D waste recycling on all projects. 
•  Indoor Air Quality Management:  Shawmut takes safety very seriously, and proper construction indoor air quality management is valuable to the health of our employees, our clients, and building occupants.  IAQ is also an important target for any LEED or green project, and Shawmut has made outstanding Indoor Air Quality management a Best Practice for all projects.
•  Green Jobsite:  Shawmut’s goal is to go beyond what is required of us as construction managers.  Our site offices recycle all office waste, and we have challenged our project teams to think innovatively and take advantage of unique project opportunities to be green on all Shawmut jobsites.

In fact, our own Vern Rich, managing director of corporate interiors, was recently interviewed by Green Space Today where he was asked to share construction and design details on Shawmut’s new green office space as well as industry leading sustainable construction tips and techniques he’s currently utilizing on his projects with LEED and sustainable aspirations.

Click here to read Vern’s article.

Check out some useful sites to help you build and live a little greener…

http://www.usgbc.org/

http://www.dinegreen.com/

http://lowimpactliving.com/

At Shawmut, we make it our mission to frequently and actively participate in volunteer and philanthropic causes within the communities in which we work. The Room to Dream Foundation is a charitable organization that we at Shawmut enjoy partnering with annually.  RTD creates healing environments by completing dramatic makeover projects in homes and communities for children and adolescents who are facing chronic illnesses. Every project with RTD has its own unique challenges and this one was no exception. A 16-year old girl with chronic asthma needed a complete makeover of her space to ensure a healthier environment.

Shawmut’s hospitality group was joined by designers Jessie Koff and Karen Urosevich as well as Standolyn Robertson, owner of Things in Place and President of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Together, we worked with the family to come up with a project plan and timeline that would work for everyone.

The project required the team to open up space for new things, remove older items, recycle used items and reorganize. Standolyn Robertson brought in a team of eight organizers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire who donated over 100 hours of time in the family’s home organizing each room and educating the family on the ways to make and maintain a healthy environment. This was no small task and their willingness to go above and beyond for this family was amazing. Their efforts made a significant impact on the success of the project and changed the landscape of the home dramatically.

During the preparation phase, designers worked diligently to decorate each room with quality pieces, stretch every penny, and create warm and inviting rooms for this special family. Many members of Shawmut’s Hospitality Group contributed by skipping lunches for weeks before the makeover and assembling over 20 pieces of furniture. By assembling this furniture beforehand, it allowed for more time for other tasks on makeover weekend and less time out of the house for the family.

It was incredible to see all the planning come together on makeover weekend. Over 30 shawmut volunteers, including family and friends, were there throughout the weekend, tearing up carpets, replacing floors, remodeling, cleaning and moving furniture. Nigel Costolloe, President of Catchlight Painting, along with members of their team went to work applying a fresh coat of paint. By mid-afternoon, the project was bathed in Inviting Ivory, Priscilla Pink, and White Flour. Sunday morning was filled with moving furniture, clearing space, picking up, and organizing. Before we knew it, the space had turned into a welcoming and healthy environment for the family to come home to. By mid-afternoon, the team anxiously awaited for the family to arrive for the reveal.

“I will never forget the look that came across their faces when they walked in,” said Gail O’Rourke of Room to Dream. “To realize that in one instant, you have completely changed how a family will live and how a family will feel by creating this new and healthy home is overwhelming. We all shed a tear of joy.”

Congratulations are in order! Rouge Tomate, one of our favorite restaurant clients, was named the “Best Juice Bar” on the coveted 2009 Best of New York list in the March issue of New York Magazine. Rouge Tomate takes a unique approach to mixing up your favorite cocktail by infusing them with vitamin and antioxidant rich, freshly squeezed juices. The mixture is a unique one: they’re one part high-end health club juice bar and one part exotic libation concocters (mixological pun intended!)

Our friends at Rouge Tomate always seem to have our collective best interests in mind. Not only have they crafted  healthy menu offerings referred to as S.P.E. “sanitas per escam” translated to “health through food,” but also designed the space utilizing sustainable materials and environmentally friendly construction practices.

Throughout construction the team, consisting of Brussels based Rouge Tomate Group, architectural firm Bentel & Bentel and Shawmut, integrated sustainable features according to the guidelines set up by the Green Restaurant Association^SM (GRA). We used recycled and locally sourced materials including FSC-certified wood. Other green features included no- or low-VOC paint and caulking, low-flush toilets, low-energy light fixtures, and as much Energy Star-certified equipment as possible.

The mission was successful – currently, Rouge Tomate is listed as one of GRA’s 174 Certified Green Restaurants and touts one of the healthiest (and epicurean pleasing) menus in the industry.

Bottoms up!

Shawmut recently completed work on the newest House of Blues located on famed Lansdowne Street in Boston.

Click here to get a sneak peek of the entire complex from the restaurant, to the members only Foundation Lounge to the live music venue with Dan Aykroyd, the original HOB founder, and Mayor Thomas Menino.