WASHINGTON, D.C.—GrizForm Design Architects has revitalized Mediterranean eatery and bar Urbana at Hotel Palomar in Washington, D.C. To establish more space at the popular Dupont Circle cocktail and dining spot, Kimpton called upon the award-winning design team to carry out the refresh. The GrizForm team retained Urbana’s sleek, urban ambiance while doubling its bar area, relocating its private dining room, refreshing its P Street patio area, and incorporating other design elements into a more free-flowing floor plan.
Popular with the locals, outdoor sofas and lounge furniture from Gloster and new signage first welcome guests at the restaurant’s entrance. Inside, the bar and lounge is now double in size and offers additional space to guests—a high top communal room with two tables is used as a casual spot for cocktails, for a full dinner, or a 12-seat private dining space to host intimate gatherings. A custom 20-foot-long drink ledge that defines the bar from the dining area has a soapstone top and custom powder-coated white metal base, inspired by the Art Deco cityscape of 1920s New York City. In Urbana’s main dining room, GrizForm designed two custom red sliding doors with ornate metal detailing that close off sections of the area for private events. Other design details include re-upholstered dining banquettes and chairs in the dining area done in yellow and green tones and two dramatic statement walls with table lamps that act as art elements.
