A New York inspired warehouse brasserie brings theatrical energy to Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Silverfox Studios | Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is widely recognised as one of the most opulent hotels in the Middle East. The building’s vast public interiors are defined by marble surfaces, ornate detailing and gold-leaf coffered ceilings illuminated by grand chandeliers, creating a setting synonymous with classical luxury. Within this richly decorative environment, the brief for Broadway sought to introduce a distinctly different atmosphere — a bar and restaurant that would function not only as part of the hotel but also as a destination venue for the city. Positioned adjacent to the hotel’s theatre, the project was conceived to complement the energy of live performances while offering its own independent arrival experience.

The concept imagines a European brasserie and brewery established within a repurposed warehouse in New York’s theatre district. Inspired by the industrial buildings that line Broadway and the surrounding neighbourhoods, the design recreates the character of a converted 1920s warehouse where layers of history remain visible within the architecture. This narrative allowed the space to adopt a distinctly urban identity that contrasts deliberately with the grandeur of the palace setting, creating the sense of a hidden industrial venue embedded within the hotel.

The existing structure was stripped back to its shell, revealing a generous ceiling height of more than seven metres. Within this volume, a new architectural framework was introduced to construct the imagined warehouse interior. Steel catwalks, exposed pipework and structural elements form the skeletal framework of the space, while a secondary roof structure with back-illuminated skylights suggests daylight filtering through the building’s upper levels. Throughout the interior, exposed steel beams and brick columns reinforce the impression of an industrial structure that has evolved over time.

The arrival sequence draws directly from the streetscape of New York. The entrance references the fire escape staircases that line the façades of Broadway’s historic buildings, with the stair structure forming the support for the venue’s signage rendered in a period typeface reminiscent of the 1920s. From here, guests pass into a gallery-like entry space where brewery barrels and vats line the approach, evoking the working environment of an urban brewery before the main bar is revealed beyond. Overhead, steel catwalk gantries frame the journey through the space, reinforcing the illusion of an operational warehouse building.

At the centre of the venue, the main bar forms the focal point of the interior. Positioned on axis with the entrance, the bar is crowned by a dramatic inverted copper brewing barrel that conceals the lighting installation within. Around its perimeter, shelving and bottle displays wrap the structure, while the bar façade itself is finished in aged open-grain dark oak panelling. Nearby, a wine refrigeration display sits opposite a small tasting counter, allowing guests to engage directly with the bar team in a more intimate setting.

The surrounding dining spaces adopt the character of a European brasserie, reflecting the narrative of a chef who has transformed the warehouse into a restaurant dedicated to French cuisine, beer and wine. Booth seating and window tables are illuminated by large lanterns and brasserie-style globe pendants, all set to a warm “Edison” glow that reinforces the period atmosphere. Throughout the space, decorative elements subtly reference the Art Deco aesthetic of the early twentieth century, linking the interior to the era in which the imagined warehouse was first constructed.

Tucked into one corner of the venue is The Cellar, a more secluded lounge area intended for private gatherings and events. Here the architectural language shifts again, with a vaulted brick ceiling and cast-iron detailing creating the impression of a subterranean wine cellar hidden within the building. The ceiling features ghost-like projections referencing theatre productions, while lighting rigging and steel pendants evoke the backstage atmosphere of the adjacent theatre, reinforcing the connection between the venue and the performing arts.

Across Broadway, the design balances the raw character of an industrial warehouse with the elegance of a European brasserie. Exposed steel frameworks, aged brickwork and industrial skylights create the illusion of a historic building repurposed for contemporary hospitality, while the layered interior experience draws inspiration from the theatrical energy of New York’s Broadway district. Within the setting of Emirates Palace, the venue introduces a striking contrast — an urban narrative that brings the atmosphere of a New York warehouse bar to the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Project: Broadway, Emirates Palace
Location: Abu Dhabi
Design Studio: Silverfox Studios
Photo Credits: John Athimaritis
Website: silverfoxstudios.design