Civic

The Goddess & Grocer at O’Hare’s international terminal, is a locally-owned artisanal deli and market developed in conjunction with Chicago’s Metropolis Coffee Company. Prominently located prior to security, the compact design of this space maximizes 1,600 square feet to elegantly merchandise pre-made and made to order food options, custom prepared coffee beverages, snacks, plus wine and beer, while still accommodating seating for 32 patrons. This open concept combines materials such as recycled wood, with an earthy, yet refined color palette. A living plant wall/herb garden provides a whimsical and organic touch, while the high glass atrium above ensures plenty of natural light. A translucent floating canopy and suspended fabric sculptural elements provide additional visual interest. The combined effect results in a pre-departure oasis, serving the international traveler in an energetic and airy space.

The 23rd Street Cafe at McCormick Place’s north exhibition hall, owned and operated by SMG Savor, represents a fresh and sophisticated dining option for convention-goers and exhibitors. This vibrant 3,900 square foot food court, prominently located on the Grand Concourse, offers “to-go” and “made-to-order” menu items prepared in an onsite kitchen. A key element of this newly designed restaurant was the construction of a new bridge that seamlessly joins the Concourse with the food court, providing ease of access for visitors. The upscale decor with stylish graphics, playful lighting and a spacious 68 seat dining area offers McCormick Place visitors a dynamic new space to refresh and relax. An informal soft seating area supplements more traditional tables and chairs, providing patrons with a variety of options while taking a break from trade shows.

Floor to ceiling glass panels with embedded flowing ribbons of color frame the exterior of this retail venue that features the best of Chicago’s artisans at O’Hare Airport’s International Terminal. Within the store, the translucent backlit focal wall with color changing illumination provides energy and excitement to draw customers into the store. White sculpted walls and an undulating soffit that mirrors the shape of the counters below provides the backdrop for one of kind paintings, sculptures, and handmade jewelry. Casework and displays feature materials made with real wood, sea shells and recycled glass that bring an element of nature that ties in with the overall organic feel of the retail environment.

The name “BARista” describes the combination of a full service bar with a gourmet coffee venue at Chicago’s Midway Airport. This efficiently designed 150 square foot kiosk offers mixed drinks, wine, beer, espresso beverages, coffee and tea, frozen drinks, bottled beverages, fresh baked goods, Panini’s plus various accompaniments such as chips and fruit. The open design is accentuated by the use of a high gloss lacquer facade and illuminated displays. Every square foot is utilized to offer the traveler with many choices for food and beverage while the food service equipment is hidden behind smoothly fluid cabinetry.

“Get Snacked” is a grab-and-go food service retail kiosk featuring packaged food and beverages located on Concourse A at Chicago’s Midway Airport. Standard refrigerated merchandisers and custom casework are trimmed with bright colors, bold shapes and signage. Corian faced rear and side wall backdrops with matching graphics are coordinated pendant lighting to create a visual frame which defines this simple and elegant space.

The “Dine in the Park” food court proposal offers a visionary culinary destination within Chicago’s Midway Airport. This integrated concept provides travelers with diverse food and beverage offerings, set in a park environment, reflecting Chicago’s rich tapestry of ethnic neighborhoods united with each other through the city’s extensive system of parks. Since Chicago’s incorporation in 1837, the city seal has borne the phrase Urbs in Horto translating from Latin as “City in a Garden.” Many of Chicago’s “Emerald Necklace” of parks were designed by such notable landscape architects as Frederick Law Olmstead and William Le Baron Jenney.

Walls of live plantings, accented by video displays featuring current and historic views of Chicago’s parks, are strategically placed throughout the concept. Further enhancing this parklike atmosphere are trees, flower boxes, streetlights with hanging planting baskets, a cascading waterfall, and a koi pond. A hydroponic herbarium will feature herbs and vegetables that will be grown and harvested for use in the surrounding restaurants. Not only aesthetically pleasing, these plants and indoor water features have been shown to improve indoor air quality. Finally, to stimulate the mind, one end of the food court will showcase a museum-quality informational wall telling travelers the stories of Chicago’s most beloved parks.

The original Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli came into being during World War II, when the Raskin brothers split up so that Jack could open his own restaurant on Roosevelt Road near the open-air market area known as Maxwell Street. Now the Midway airport traveler can stop in for a true authentic Chicago Deli experience at Chicago’s Midway Airport. The serving counter, décor and graphic signage are all reminiscent of their main Roosevelt Road location. The bright well designed express deli counter and food service equipment layout speeds service and encourages customers to custom design their menu choices.

Sarfatty Associate, Ltd. partnered MAC One Midway, LLC for the transformation of an existing 140 sq. ft. space in Midway Airport into a new quick serve frozen yogurt concept: Red Mango. The front service counter was rooted in the core brand attributes of this concept with a focus on “Health, Taste and Style”. Key design elements help provide intuitive transitions and create a natural progression through the space. Finish materials that articulate the playful and healthy environment were used throughout the design. Bright and creative lighting elements emulate the brand logo and boldly colored tile walls act as a backdrop to the signage, graphics and food display. The presentation to the concourse is dynamic; drawing guests to the end of the concourse with bright signage and graphic displays.

In association with MAC One Midway, LLC, Sarfatty Associates conceived and designed a new airport food service concept: Sprigs Fresh Salads. The theme of a fresh and healthy lifestyle is reflected in the crisp, boldly colored and creatively lit storefront. LCD menu boards recessed into the façade and the dynamic signage add movement and excitement to the space. The sustainable bamboo back wall that frames the salad crispers in a halo of light provides a backdrop for the bold graphics, illuminated merchandise units and the chefs as they interact with guests. An undulating stainless steel service counter allows patrons to get up close to the action and work with the chef as he creates that one of a kind salad. The mirror above brightly reflects into the concourse the activity of the preparation area encouraging airport patrons to partake in the fun.

This unique 400 SF prototype kiosk is proposed for a location near Terminal 3 at O’Hare Airport. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Chicago Prairie Style of Architecture, this “open” plan edifice attracts people from every direction. The trellis style roof structure with wide sweeping overhangs defines the space and merchandising areas while maintaining nearly unobstructed views to the airfield.

The complete renovation of seven travel oases into open plan multi-tenant retail and food service buildings required unique solutions. Each site has a freestanding Starbucks kiosk and an in-line travel mart selling souvenirs, clothing, books, pre-packaged snacks, candy, bottled beverages, newspapers and magazines. Since most of the sites are built on existing bridge decks over the tollway, we have utilized signage that is visible from both inside the building and to passing motorists through glazing that spans the highway.

To give travelers a real taste of Chicago, the food court and adjacent retail area was designed to emulate a neighborhood street featuring local Chicago businesses. Working with independent restaurants and retailers Sarfatty Associates designed unique venues including Gold Coast Dogs, Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant, Pegasus on the Fly, Illinois Bar & Grill, Reilly’s Daughter (Irish Pub), George’s Music Room and Viva’s Hallmark. Each location incorporates the décor, food service and merchandising elements which makes that particular venue unique.