Fifth Street About to Be Illuminated
Large Fish Sculpture from LaVecchia's on 6th Street Reused as the New Signage
LaVecchia’s Steak and Seafood, an uptown institution, is relocating to the Hearst Tower. Known both for its fine food and fine art, it was hailed as an aquatic wonderland when it first opened in 1998 in the Bank of America Seventh Street parking deck. The relocation will not support the extensive gallery of sculpture. Thus, one of the largest sculptures, a centerpiece in the restaurant, is LaVecchia’s new exterior sign. This nine foot long fish is tethered to a curved steel tube, simulating a trophy fish catch on a bent fishing rod. The double-sided neon sign will be visible up and down 5th Street. It's art in service to the street.
New Project Photos Added to WMA Website
We've added new project photos to the WMA website for Jax Back Street Tavern in Belmont and Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse in Davidson. We've also updated the exterior shot of Old Stone Steak House in Belmont. Below are a few of our favorite shots!
Jax Backstreet Tavern
Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse
Old Stone Steakhouse
1300 Baxter Street Becomes Midtown Centre
Minimal Transformation – Maximum Improvement
1300 Baxter Street, formerly Charlotte Town Center, is being transformed. A mid-century concrete icon, its simple, unadorned façade follows the principles of the contemporary 1960’s aesthetic. With minimal alterations, verticality of the building’s presence is being readdressed, incorporating an entry façade with a projected framework feature along with the addition of roof line louvers. The building takes a dramatic visual turn with the least amount of embellishment.
Existing Building
Restrained – smart and contemporary.
1300 Baxter Exterior Render
The lobby is polished and refined with fine finishes complimenting the building’s aesthetic.
A new skyline view conference room is being incorporated into the second level of the building.
Restrained – smart and contemporary.
UNCG South Gateway Expands
Railroad Pedestrian Underpass Enlarged to Include a Public Gathering Space
Wagner Murray Architects has re-designed the Lee Street entrance with an enlarged public plaza incorporated into the project, following an urban design study which addresses the recommended connection of the public plaza to an upcoming series of projects on the south side of W. Lee Street, establishing a new university precinct. The project maintains its position as a focal point for the south gateway, emphasizing a vertical symbol of congregation as well as integration into the future campus expansion. The project crystallizes the design intention and confirms “This is the spot” for establishing a new urban pattern along W. Lee Street.
UNCG South Gateway Day
UNCG South Gateway Night
JAX JOLTS—New Wagner Murray Design
New Tavern: Belmont, North Carolina
Next In the LaVecchia Family’s Collection of Restaurants
Opening Gala a Neighborhood Hit!
Saturday, August 7—A tavern can be best described as a place, convivial and friendly, short on attitude and long on comfort. The designers placed great emphasis on making it a lively space with an animated atmosphere. JAX has a deliberately unassuming exterior. It may be hard to find, but once it is discovered, it will draw you in. One guest at the opening described it as “the happiest place in Belmont.”
Flatiron Kitchen and Tap House
DAVIDSON, NORTH CAROLINA
New Restaurant Design Delights, Inspires and Entertains
Wagner Murray Architects Creates Features and Focal Points to Enhance Triangular Building Plan
Being playful and being whimsical aids the creative process. It allows non-programmed opportunities to emerge. Being tuned to the specific design needs of the project can be a springboard to serendipity, the faculty of making discoveries by accident.
Michael LaVecchia and his partner, Chad Hollingsworth, along with Dawn LaVecchia and Tim Groody have established a landmark/ destination in Davidson, North Carolina. A unique, triangular shaped plan, the name of the restaurant recalls the famous design of the Flatiron Building in lower Manhattan.
The designers saw an opportunity to take this plan and create a restaurant that enhances its unique geometric shape. An octagonal shaped bar creates the focal point as the customer enters on the apex of the triangle. In the center of the bar, a 25 tap copper, stainless and glass beer tower creates a significant special effect to the design of the restaurant. The entry/reception contains a custom-designed, fabricated and assembled lighting fixture by the architect’s design team. Three hundred and sixty faceted triangular shapes create a stunning visual effect with this illuminated feature. Architect/artist David Wagner provided all of the original drawings for the restaurant which were inspired by Tim Groody’s inventive menu. Each sketch depicts a specific serving of food captioned to the menu. The new restaurant seats 135 patrons.
Copper, glass, stainless steel Beer Tower adds whimsy and interest to the octagonal centerpiece bar.
Multi-faceted Flatiron chandelier provides a unique lighting effect in the entry/reception area.
Original artwork by David Wagner adorns the walls.
Floor plan showing the organization and layout of the Flatiron Restaurant.
Architect as Artist
Portraits are a way for Dave Wagner to study form and texture.
Architects turn their hands to art pieces
At summer gallery exhibit, they get to show a different side of their creativity.
By Richard Maschal
Special to the Observer
Posted: Thursday, Jul. 08, 2010Much of the talk at the opening of "Art by Architects" focused on two simple questions. "Got any work?" "What are you doing with your time?"
The response from 31 architects slowed by the Great Recession was, "I've been making art." The results fill the walls at Hodges Taylor Gallery uptown, a good summer show (nourishing, but not heavy) that is worth your time.
Gallery owner and art sparkplug Christie Taylor and the American Institute of Architects invited architects to exhibit, and the response included a variety of work - paintings, prints, sculpture, photographs, drawings and crafts.
...
In "Bruno," an oil pastel drawing, David Wagner distorts proportion - a huge arm over a massive head.
Additional portraits by Dave Wagner
Restaurant Move Prompts Creative Re-use
Giant fish sculpture to become signage and public art
LaVecchia’s Steak and Seafood, an uptown restaurant, is relocating to the Hearst Tower. Known both for its fine food and fine art, it was hailed as an aquatic wonderland when it first opened in 1998 in the Bank of America Seventh Street parking deck. The new location will not support the extensive gallery of sculptures so, one of the largest sculptures, a centerpiece in the restaurant, will become LaVecchia’s new exterior sign. This nine foot long fish will be tethered to a large curved steel tube, simulating a trophy fish catch on a bent fishing rod. The sculpture will serve a dual purpose: cables from the street structure will also support a canvas awning leading to the restaurant entrance. The double-sided neon sign will be visible up and down 5th Street.
LaVecchias Signage Concept
Kings Mountain’s Mayor Announces Opening of New Old Stone Steakhouse
Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey announced today the opening of the new 3,900 square foot Old Stone Steakhouse in downtown Kings Mountain. This is the second restaurant for Nick LaVecchia whose popular restaurant in Belmont, North Carolina offers regional cuisine with Nick’s gastronomic flair.
In addition to designing the restaurant with Wagner Murray Architects, themed with natural stone, reclaimed brick and timber, WMA principal, David Wagner, will be commissioned by the City of Kings Mountain to paint a Revolutionary War mural depicting the Battle of Kings Mountain. Kings Mountain has actively nurtured its historical ties to this pivotal revolutionary battle which turned the tide for the Patriots and ultimately led to the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. The mural will be approximately 30’ long and grace the Old Stone bar, aptly titled, “The Battleground Bar.” The restaurant is expected to open late summer 2010.
Old Stone Steak House - Kings Mountain - Concept
Old Stone Steak House - Kings Mountain - Floor Plan Concept
Old Stone Steak House - Kings Mountain - Bar Concept
Website Photos Updated!
New photos of the Bechtler Museum Store and the Addison have been added to the Wagner Murray website. Visit the main website to view all of the new images.
The Bechtler Museum Store
The Addison
