Palm Avenue Deli

Located in downtown Sarasota, the Palm Avenue Deli is situated on a pedestrian-friendly street within the city’s urban core. Designed to replace an existing retail showroom, the construction of the 2,900 s.f. space was a challenge because this location had never served as a restaurant before; all the infrastructure would have to be developed within an existing poured-in-place concrete structure that is typically unforgiving to this type of modification.

NOTABLE
SRQ Magazine 4Walls Design Competition Gold Winner

CLIENT
Hi Hospitality Group

LOCATION
1297 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

SIZE
2,900 square feet

PHOTOGRAPHY
Dylan Jon Wade Cox

The vision for the restaurant was to create a destination space within the city that offered a heightened visual experience for both guests and staff. The open concept layout reinforces the social nature of the designs with the goal of crafting that “third place” within the community - outside of home and work. Part of a trio of restaurants on a single block owned and operated by the same client, an additional challenge was to approach the design as a continuous extension of the other restaurants while also establishing an individual identity, separating this space from the other two.

Palm Avenue Deli Jonathan Parks Sarasota Architect.jpg

Palm Avenue Deli Sarasota Interior Design.jpg

Palm Avenue Deli Sarasota Architecture SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture.jpg

Palm Avenue Deli Interior Design Jonathan Parks Architect.jpg

Palm Avenue Deli Table Interior Design.jpg

Sarasota Interior Design Palm Avenue Deli.jpg

Space planning was crucial to the design process. To create a “buzzy” New York-style atmosphere, an open kitchen layout embraces pedestrians. Guests enter and are immediately greeted by the host or may choose to visit the bakery, self-serve kiosks, or be seated in one of two dining areas. Solo diners are made to feel special with a view of the kitchen or Palm Ave.

To accommodate the new restaurant, much of the existing interior was demolished while care was taken to preserve back-of-house spaces and re-purpose interior components. All the existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems had to be redesigned or significantly repaired.

The interior design creates a feeling of the classic Jewish deli, but with a modern, Florida vibe. Dark green, teal, weathered brass, gold paint, and black finishes create an immersive atmosphere. The flooring is an updated version of familiar black and white checkerboard, mixing 24x24” with 12-by-24” tiles to create a non-traditional pattern. Sleek black subway tiles are mixed with penny-tile wallcovering. The ceiling, which looks like vintage tin, is acoustic tile. Tabletops are edged in brass banding and feature vintage comic-strip artwork with Sarasota references.

The result delivers beauty and function, transporting guests with a multi-sensory experience of familiar comfort and daily inspiration.

Accolades

SRQ Magazine 4Walls Design Competition Gold Winner

Team

Sarasota Architect
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Interior Designer
BLOK Design Group

Contractor
R.E. Crawford Construction

Mechanical
Infinity Engineering