Smith & Wollensky, the classic New York steakhouse, opened its newest location last September in Boston. The 20,000-square-foot, 400-seat restaurant, designed by Greenwich, Connecticut-based Haverson Architecture and Design, is in what is officially known as Armory of the First Corps of Cadets, adjacent to the Boston Common. Affectionately called “the Castle,” the 110-year-old, Medieval-Romanesque building is replete with a tower, oriel turrets, moats, and crenellated parapet walls – and received National Historic Register status in 1973.

 

The first floor gunroom has been converted into a bar and informal dining room; the mezzanine above is filled with a bounty of framed vintage American flags. The elegant yet colorful second floor houses a more formal dining room and wine collection. The third floor is a smaller dining room with an original, over-scaled fireplace as its focus. The expansive fourth floor is a plaster-and-paneled Banquet Hall perfect for large gatherings.

 

“Needless to say, there are so many beautiful architectural details, including carved wooden mantles, spiral stairways, ornamental lighting fixtures, wrought iron railings, and built-in cabinetry which are incorporated into the design of the public areas,” says Haverson Architecture partner Jay Haverson. “The existing white oak, cherry, and mahogany wainscoting, paneling, beamed ceilings, vintage wood floors, and wrought iron have been refurbished to their original vintage form,” adds partner Carolyn Haverson.

 

Artifacts remain in their current rooms or were relocated as "found" design elements to reinforce the turn-of-the-century period ambiance of the restaurant. More than 150 historic gas/electric lighting fixtures found in the Castle were restored and reused as important design elements.

 

The changes to the space plan are subtle: The signature Smith & Wollensky color scheme of buttery yellow, tangerine, and raspberry tones, along with traditional furnishings and an authentic collection of military lore, are combined with an American Folk Art collection hand-selected by Alan Stillman, founder and CEO of Smith & Wollensky. These items are in public view throughout the restaurant. Included are historical American flags, a collection of large clocks formerly used at the top of buildings, scales, thermometers, baseball mitts, golf lore, cast metal bulls and horses, political cartoons, and folklore and portraiture.

 

The restaurant opened in September 2004.

 

Architect/Interior Design: Haverson Architecture and Design P.C; Jay M. Haverson (Principal-in-Charge)
Contractor: Ashling Construction, Somerville, MA
Mechanical Engineer: MGJ Associates, New York, NY
Structural Engineer: RDG Consulting Engineers, New York, NY
Kitchen Design: Crabtree McGrath Associates, Beverly, MA
Photography: Peter Paige Photography

 

Founded in 1992, Greenwich, CT-based Haverson Architecture and Design, P.C. is a collaboration of a dynamic husband and wife team, architect Jay Haverson and graphic designer Carolyn Haverson. The firm specializes in designing and developing entertainment venues, restaurants, retail, office interiors, and residential projects. The firm also provides graphic design identities for its clients, including logotypes, print design, and signage.

 

Restaurant clients include: Junior’s Cafe, Bakery and Dessert Shop in Grand Central Terminal & Brooklyn, NY; The Players and Coaches Dining Room at the United States Tennis Association in Flushing Meadows, NY; Smith & Wollensky’s flagship in New York City, as well as Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, and Houston locations, Doc Smith's at Smith & Wollensky in New Orleans; Mediterraneo, Wild Ginger, and Katzenberg's Express in Greenwich, Connecticut; Aurora and Spiga in Westchester County; Harley-Davidson Cafe in Las Vegas; and the Motown Cafe at Citiwalk in Universal Studios, Orlando.