Page 2 of 8
Best Bar Design
Winner: Astoria, Washington, D.C.
- Owner and GC: Devin Gong, Washington, D.C.
- Architect: CORE architecture + design, Washington, D.C.
- Structural Engineer: Rathgeber/Goss Associates, PC, Rockville, Md.
- Engineer: Caliber Design, Inc., Sterling, Va.
- Consultants: Hospitality Kitchen Design, Washington, D.C.
- Collaborators: Robinson Forged Metals, Hyattsville, Md.
Located in a renovated historic storefront, Astoria takes aesthetic inspiration from Orient Express luxury trains, New York’s infamous millionaire J.J. Astor, French motifs and the Chinese concept of “refined-ruggedness.” The main service bar serves as the focal point of a space that seeks to transport guests as soon as they enter the building. One judge said, “I was immediately transported to the service car of a train.” The judges felt “all of the tiny details are astounding, and the overall effect is impactful.” The judges thought the design nailed the concept of a luxury railcar bar and the team “did a great job managing the challenges of the narrow space.”
Photos by Ron Ngiam, courtesy of CORE architecture + design
