THE RIO GRANDE LODO
The client approached us with a new opportunity – design two locations simultaneously. With one of our largest projects to date, we were tasked with a great challenge for one of Colorado’s longest running Mexican restaurant groups.
The Denver location was moving across LODO to the former Sullivan’s Steakhouse location. The client recognized the growth of modern design in the LODO neighborhood, and sought to carry this direction with the move. Through his travels in Mexico City and Marfa Texas, he was inspired by the minimalism and linear aspects of restaurants that he experienced in these areas. The Rio Grande River Valley provided organic inspiration through limestone walls and terracotta colors. Dimensional Porcelanosa tile, lightly colored Alaskan cedar, and reclaimed shoring beams created finishes and features to portray his intentions.
Ornate aspects of Mexican culture carried throughout the space with Spanish patterned cut metal screens wrapping the large structural beams in the 19th century building. The client provided the finishing feature at the bar, twisted Juniper trees that were creatively nestled between the custom bar back shelving. A Caeserstone bar top portrayed the mixed sand colors of the Rio Grande river bottom. Finishing the 250′ linear feet of custom banquette seating with geometric fabrics helped to provide modern accents, with the backdrop of Oaxaca pottery and Alebrije Mexican sculpture softening the view.
