Location

Project Details

Special Features

The Forge Restaurant is a landmark prohibition-era restaurant and nightclub, and until April 2019, the second-oldest restaurant operating in South Florida. Built in the 1920s, and remodeled in the late 1960s, the restaurant was known for its colorful history, eclectic style and a favorite for celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra to name a few. A fire closed the restaurant for a brief time in 1991. Because of the building’s age, it suffered from structural issues, a dated interior and the original decorative wood features of its façade were aged and damaged.

In 2009 the challenge was to modify the structure in the main dining room and repair the damaged columns in the kitchen. This quickly grew into a full renovation of the restaurant and its iconic exterior façade. While respecting the history and original layout of the restaurant, the dining areas, bar, toilet rooms and kitchen were modernized. The exterior facade was modified for a new entry and the damaged decorative wood features were replaced with precast concrete replicas to match the originals.

Arcwerks worked closely with the project manager’s team of interior designer, general contractor and structural & mechanical engineers. We are proud to have been involved in the renovation of one of South Florida’s architectural landmarks. By preserving and updating the icons of the past, we make it possible to celebrate and enjoy them for generations to come.

"Walking through the wine cellars for the first time was incredible. We had a sense of responsibility to help bring back the dazzling beauty of this historic restaurant with modern functionality for staff and diners alike." 

•  Manny Rodriguez, Project Manager, Arcwerks