Restaurants

Owner:

Galatoire’s Restaurant

Design:

Jahncke Architects

Size:

16,000 Square Feet

Budget:

$2,400,000

Completion:

November 1999

Galatoire’s Restaurant

The goal of the Galatoire’s Board of Directors in their expansion plans included a main theme of restoration to the original architectural theme of the earlier two-story dining areas, a brand new main kitchen replacing the existing one, and the addition of a smaller kitchen and elevator on the second floor. From the start, the project requirement was to remain open throughout the expansion, allowing minimum business loss and maintaining the staff – all of which was accomplished. Phasing was a necessary challenge, including the addition of new electric service early on, providing new HVAC to the first floor dining area prior to renovation, constructing a low temporary second floor over the kitchen, to provide a safe working area over the same while the new permanent second floor was added, and resurrecting an original abandoned stair and demolishing the existing monumental stair.

Throughout the job, constant replacement of existing structured framework and brickwork was necessary. The new kitchen and new dining area on the second floor was opened with a temporary stair, allowing the complete renovation (including demolishing and replacing both original slabs) of the first floor dining and kitchen, all without closing the restaurant.

A key element was the opportunity of a narrow rear service entrance, used by both the contractor and kitchen staff, which required a temporary scaffolded second floor for most of the job. The last phase consisted of adding the new elevator, which required removing the existing main stair and performing a major renovation of the first floor dining room.

The job was finished on schedule and within budget, due to the excellent cooperation of the restaurant’s staff and the entire design-construction complement.