Hawksmoor Project – A Timeline
Hawksmoor Project - A Timeline
THE CLIENT
Pure Fitout are proud to have delivered sympathetic restoration works to a listed building alongside full interior fitout and bespoke joinery and metalwork for world renowned restaurant chain Hawksmoor.
The first Hawksmoor branch opened in Spitalfields in East London in 2006 and have since launched over a dozen locations worldwide in cities like London, Manchester, New York, Chicago and Edinburgh. Their stellar reputation has escalated year on year, culminating in Hawksmoor being jointly crowned the world’s best steak restaurant in 2022.
THE LOCATION
Co-founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott had Dublin on their radar as a new location for some time. “We’ve been coming to Dublin for years to spend time in one of our favourite cities for food and drink, always keeping an eye open for a beautiful space. When we saw the former National Bank on 34 College Green, we fell in love,” noted Will. It was decided that the landmark building on College Green, Dublin 2, designed by William Barnes in the mid-1840s was the perfect fit for Hawksmoor’s first Irish restaurant.
The spectacular, listed building boasts a decorative, hemispherical 40-foot cast-iron dome set on dramatic Corinthian columns and ornate, elaborate plasterwork. Such is typical of Hawksmoor, the design brief included the instruction to restore as many of these original features as possible.
Likewise, the use of reclaimed materials, a Hawksmoor signature, were to be incorporated within the project. Reclaimed doors and repurposed antique lighting were key elements of the final design alongside the installation of stunning parquet floors throughout.
THE TIMELINE
December 2022
In early December 2022, Pure Fitout’s project team carried out their first site visits and inspections. Having lay dormant for many years, the building was in a heavy state of disrepair, although its historical charm and architectural character was still evident and it was clear to see the vision our client had for the space.
Just prior to the Christmas holidays, our site team stripped out existing elements of the building, leaving only the original shell.
January 2023
The site hoardings went up and the setting out of the entire restaurant commenced in early January 2023. A new screed floor was applied and levelled and walls formed to create private dining areas, the kitchen, offices and staff breakout rooms.
Seating and electrical works for lighting and audio were installed and the refurbishment and repair of all the retained original features began - such as the dome, columns and plaster moulds.
We concentrated on samples to ensure the client was happy with the design and layout of proposed features to ensure alignment with the design brief and vision.
February 2023
Repair works continued as the refurbishment of the original moulds and heritage support columns neared completion and work began on repairing the original sky light windows and details.
Upgrades to the fire integrity of the original ceiling were made with the installation of new fire resistant boards to the original soffit sections. Works were carried out under the watchful eye of conservation architect Garrett O’Neill and fire safety approval was granted.
All walls were closed and new partitions were installed while first fix mechanical and electrical works were completed in week two and the second fix began just before month end.
Updated drainage plans were created and cleared with the landlord and engineering details such as the re-routing of pipework to coincide with the historic drainage system were confirmed.
Back at our workshop in Belfast, designs were completed and the manufacture of bespoke elements for the final fitout such as the bar and furniture commenced.
March 2023
The preparation and application of wall finishes i.e. classic style tiling for WC areas and wall panel mouldings to the main restaurant got underway. In addition, the replication of plaster mouldings and detailing (i.e. cornices) were created in our workshop to match the originals.
A vintage timber floor was laid alongside kitchen wall cladding and the installation of joinery works while the application of finishing coats to existing moulds and ceiling plus topcoat painting got underway.
April 2023
The installation of joinery items such as the bar and doors were completed and we commenced the fitting of fixed seating, low level walls, glazed screens and light holders - all of which were manufactured in our workshop.
Final finish items were installed including: Glass items like mirrors and partition screens, kitchen items, tables, chairs and final lighting, refurbished heritage ironmongery, seating, sanitary items and lightbulbs.
All lifesaving equipment like fire doors and alarms were fitted before final sign off from Fire Officer and Building Control.
The cleaning process began and carried on throughout before a clean was made in preparation for handover and staff training.
May 2023
Work on the historic National Bank building reached the final stages as final items such as planters and signage were installed, hoarding was removed and a final clean was prepared.
The transformation of 34 College Green was complete and its iconic space was now home to an impressive 152-seat restaurant, elegant back-to-back bar and private dining space.
Alongside the refurbishment and fitout works, Pure Fitout’s workshop and design teams co-ordinated the manufacture of bespoke elements of the project including: bar, seating, brass signage, tables and chairs, lobby and dividing screens, service station, copper light glazed panels, wall panelling details and PDR tables.