Fine-dining phenomenon Hakkasan is rapidly expanding across the globe – and they've engaged the Woods Bagot team to bring their distinctive brand to new patrons from Dubai to Los Angeles.
Woods Bagot is acting as executive architect on four new locations around the world and the design architect for a further two. W
ith the Abu Dhabi restaurant completed in June 2010, Hakkasan's newest location opened in Dubai just last month. The highly-anticipated New York location is now under construction and design work for venues in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Shanghai and Doha has just begun.
Dubai's Hakkasan is located in the Boulevard Mall, Emirates Towers, one of the city’s most iconic establishments. Designed by Parisian firm Gilles et Boissier in association with Woods Bagot's Dubai and London studios, a main attraction of the Middle Eastern establishment is its impressive 860m2 landscaped terrace (as can be seen in the images on the left).
According to Principal Duncan Parkinson: "The key challenge with was the procurement and delivery of unique components from around the world. Items such as AV equipment, custom designed wine fridges, specialty kitchen equipment from numerous suppliers in Europe, bespoke leathers and joinery from France and timbers from the USA were all specified, imported and coordinated on site."
“Our desire to make the garden terrace a memorable place meant that we needed to procure the right kind of mature trees and determine a way to build the first major green wall in Dubai," says Steven Velegrinis, senior urban designer. "What has ultimately been achieved has evolved into a highlight of the restaurant.” The client is delighted, commenting: "There is nothing like it in Dubai."
"We've had an immensely positive relationship with Hakkasan and the experience in the Dubai only reaffirmed this," continues Steven. "Hakkasan ensured that they had a great team on board and they remained open to all opportunities, trusting that their consultants would come up with the goods."
Expected to open in mid-January 2012, the New York Hakkasan will embody the modern ethnic design found in Hakkasan restaurants around the world. Leather appointments, wooden and stone screens and dark-oak latticing evoke old Chinoiserie decadence. In addition, an open-plan kitchen will be visible from the restaurant, making kitchen activity part of the restaurant's 'theatre' for patrons.
Principal Jeremy Singer says: “Hakkasan will be a major player in the New-York food scene and an important catalyst for the continued growth of the Hell’s Kitchen area. We are thrilled to be part of this signature brand’s arrival in New York.”
With global reach and local knowledge, Woods Bagot’s established network of studios gives clients full access to the combined professional talent and knowledge resources within the entire organisation. The successful relationship with Hakkasan is one example of Woods Bagot’s demonstrated ability to execute work globally.