Location: Abu Dhabi

Interior Designer: Silverfox Studios Pte Ltd

Hotel Group/ Developer: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Photographer: John Athimaritis

Silverfox Studios has masterfully crafted a unique bar and restaurant concept within the opulent Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi, known for its lavish design featuring intricate marble floors, gold leaf coffered ceilings, and grand chandeliers. Their challenge was to create a distinct destination that would complement the nearby Hotel Theatre and attract both hotel guests and city residents.

Drawing inspiration from New York’s theatre district, Silverfox Studios envisioned a European Brasserie set inside a repurposed warehouse. Dubbed “A Brasserie on Broadway,” this design aimed to juxtapose the historical charm of a brewery within the contemporary luxury of the Palace Hotel.

The existing space was stripped back to its shell and core, revealing a ceiling height of over 7 meters. This allowed Silverfox Studios to construct an internal structure resembling a warehouse, complete with its own back-illuminated roof, old catwalks, and exposed pipework. This careful design created the illusion of a retrofitted brewery, enhancing the authenticity and character of the space.

The bar, deliberately placed off-center, contributes to the realistic, lived-in feel of the venue. Silverfox Studios’ attention to detail ensures that the imperfections of the layout add to the overall charm and plausibility of the concept. The result is a vibrant, stylish brasserie that stands apart from the rest of the hotel, offering a distinctive experience that harmonises with the grandeur of the Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi and the dynamic energy of the adjacent Hotel Theatre.