Congratulations to our client to The Quoin Hotel for being featured in the March 2024 issue of Bon Appetit!
Megan Wahn of Bon Appetit took a trip down to Wilmington, DE to visit Simmer Down, The Quoin's basement cocktail lounge. In the issue she discusses the thoughtful finishes that went into creating the unique whimsical atmosphere.
Read the full article in the March issue!
Washington Marriott Capitol Hill Welcomes Guests to the Nation's Capital
Photo Courtesy of Issac Masielman
Washington Marriott Capitol Hill debuts January 11, 2023, standing between Washington DC’s iconic Capitol Hill and emerging NoMa neighborhoods. “The new Washington Marriott Capitol Hill reflects the transformation of the Marriott brand, delivering imaginative design, memorable food and drink concepts, and uncompromising service that will appeal to guests and locals, delivering authentic and memorable experiences,” said Rick Sawyer, General Manager.
Located within walking distance of the US Capitol, Union Station, and the bustling Union Market neighborhood, the hotel is a true urban retreat. Situated within the newly developed NoMa Center, the hotel sits adjacent to 40,000 square feet of new retail and restaurants. Guest rooms provide workstations with high-speed internet access, as well a luxurious linens and modern amenities. There is also an expansive 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center so guests can keep up their fitness routines while away from home.
INSPIRED INNOVATION
Upon arrival, guests enter sophisticated public areas designed by award-winning, local Washington, DC-based designer, Darryl Carter. Society Commons, a social hub from day to
night, features an intimate bar and a full-service restaurant, which transitions with guests from social to business, creative, and personal activities.
The hotel’s design seeks to honor the past by capturing a spirit that is focused, determined, and efficient using crisp and streamlined architectural and decor elements that are intentional and purposeful. The materials are polished and refined, with hints of strong metals and warm woods. The style embraces the future by combining these metals and woods in fearless applications, using contemporary forms and angular shapes that are both unexpected and dramatic.
A standard across Marriott Hotels globally, the hotel’s M Club is open 24/7 as an exclusive space reserved for hotel guests who are Marriott Bonvoy Elite members. Benefits include complimentary food and beverage throughout the day such as hot breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, and premium beverages, ensuring uninterrupted productivity for business travelers.
NEXT LEVEL MEETINGS
With 18,000 square feet of state-of-the-art pre-function and event space, the hotel creates connections and offers spaces that can be adapted to varied sizes and formats. The ballroom delivers uninterrupted sight lines and features 15-foot ceilings and leading-edge lighting. Designed to creatively accommodate today’s guest needs, the space is expansive enough to host 280, while customizable for intimate events. In addition to the innovative indoor meeting space, the property also boasts a stunning courtyard that delivers more than 5,000 square feet of extraordinary special event space with the nation’s skyline as a backdrop.
SAVORY DELIGHTS
An oasis in the sky, Yara is a sexy indoor/outdoor venue that includes a chef-driven restaurant, buzzing bar + lively lounge that celebrate the cuisine and spirit(s) of Latin cultures… with a twist! The menu features fresh and bold flavors, embraces seafood, shareables and unexpected flavor profiles. Inspiration comes not from any one country but offers traditional and modern takes on dishes from across Central and South America. Adding to the fun, the mixology program features creative and classic craft cocktails, incorporating fresh squeezed juices and zero-proof tonics and botanicals – perfect for a group or date night.
The hotel, developed by The Buccini/Pollin Group and Perseus TDC, an entity of Transwestern, and managed by PM Hotel Group, is the first franchised Marriott property inside Washington’s Capital Beltway.
Washington Marriott Capitol Hill is located at 175 L Street NE, Washington, DC, 20002. The hotel participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International, allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
For more information about Washington Marriott Capitol Hill and to book reservations, visit www.Marriott.com/wasnn or call (202) 972-9800.
Photos Curtesy of Issac Masielman
CRE Clients Win Preservation Achievement Award from Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
Photo by Matthew Williams
Every year the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia presents Preservation Achievement Awards to projects and individuals who work to promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the historic buildings, communities and landscapes in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
For the 2023 Preservation Achievement Awards, the Alliance honored Christina River Exchange with a Grand Jury Award for our role in the restoration of the former Security Trust and Safety Deposit Company Building at 519 N Market St in Wilmington, Delaware that is now home to a 24-room luxury boutique hotel The Quoin. The Grand Jury Awards “celebrate the highest level of achievement in historic preservation.”
The Quoin, was a $17 million historic renovation and adaptive reuse of Victorian Romanesque brownstone designed in the 1885 by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. Spanning 27,000 square feet, the hotel features a 75-seat Fireplace Cafe & Lounge, 155-seat ground floor restaurant, a lower-level cocktail lounge, and Wilmington’s first rooftop bar.
CRE Clients Featured in Conde Nast Traveler: The 23 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023
Wilmington, Delaware has been recognized as one of Conde Nast Traveler’s 23 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023 and several CRE Clients were mentioned as reasons to visit this vibrant city, including The Quoin, Bardea and Bardea Steak, Le Cavalier, HOTEL DU PONT!
“Delaware may be best known for its breezy southern beaches—but up north, Wilmington is drawing attention for a wave of new restaurants transforming the city into a bona fide food destination…”
CRE Clients Featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer: What to do, eat, and see in Wilmington
Christina River Exchange client’s Wilma's, Le Cavalier at the Green Room, HOTEL DU PONT, and Bardea Food & Drink recognized in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s guide “What to do, eat, and see in Wilmington”!
“As President Joe Biden’s adopted hometown, Wilmington is having a moment. While that moment has shined a national spotlight on the small city just 45-minutes south of Philadelphia, excitement about Wilmington has been building locally for years.
For the last century, the city has been known as the home of the storied DuPont family and its influential chemical company, as well as a financial center, but after business hours, things got quiet. That’s changed. Today, you’ll find beer gardens, artsy coffee shops, tattoo parlors, sporting events, and artisanal shops that are open well past 5 p.m.
Over the last couple of decades, the city beautified its once-industrial waterfront, which now has a minor league baseball stadium, the indoor Chase Fieldhouse sports complex, the Jack A. Markell Trail, an IMAX theater, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment all along a scenic mile and a half long riverwalk.
In the last 10 years, the city’s downtown has gone through a similar renaissance, thanks to thousands of new apartments that house 4,000 new residents — many of them millennial transplants coming from places like New York and Philly. Much of the new development is along about 10 blocks on downtown’s main drag, Market Street, which charms visitors with historic architecture, clean streets, independent shops, theaters, and renowned restaurants, such as Bardea, which was just named a James Beard Awards semifinalist…”
CRE Client Featured in Vogue: America’s Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2022
Christina River Exchange client Bardea Steak was recently featured as one of “America’s Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2022” by Vogue!
“The team behind Wilmington, Delaware’s James Beard semifinalist restaurant Bardea Food & Drink, Scott Stein and chef Antimo DiMeo, are expanding their Bardea brand with beef-based Bardea Steak. Serving as their third eatery, Bardea Steak will be a contemporary take on a classic steakhouse, claiming a spacious 5,000 square foot plot adjacent to Bardea Food & Drink in downtown Wilmington. DiMeo is planning to cook various beef cuts (including off-cuts) in a custom-made open-hearth, with a focus on various aging techniques. Wines will lean toward American producers, while some cocktails will be made tableside.”
Crobsy Hill Celebrates Topping Out Ceremony
Joined by City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Wilmington-based developer, The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG), BPGS Construction, Christina River Exchange, and ResideBPG celebrated the topping out of their latest residential development Crosby Hill on January 19th. During the ceremony, a structural beam was raised to the roof of the 11-story building, signifying a major milestone in the development of the 203-unit multi-family community coming to 517 Shipley Street in the Fall of 2022.
Following remarks from Mayor Purzycki, Rob Buccini, Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group, and Chris Langan, Residential Regional Director for The Buccini/Pollin Group, guests, neighbors, and project partners were invited to sign the beam prior to its raising by the 150 foot-tall crane that’s been a focal point of the City skyline for the past eight months. The development, which is nearly halfway complete, brings over 200 construction jobs to the City of Wilmington throughout the project.
Designed by Niles Bolton Associates, the $62 million development includes two 4-story buildings and one 11-story building surrounding a private, landscaped courtyard with a swimming pool, fireplace, BBQ grills, screening area, and pergola. A private parking garage with 124 parking spots will be located underground for residents. The building will also feature a fitness center and a penthouse clubroom on the 11th floor with unparalleled city and river views. The clubroom will boast a demonstration kitchen, game room, coworking space, indoor fireplace, and outdoor terrace. The community will include studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments with stainless-steel appliances, quartz counter tops and high-end finish details throughout.
The name Crosby Hill pays tribute to the Crosby and Hill Department Store that prominently served Wilmington for nearly a century from 1878 to 1960 at 605 Market St. Described by the Every Evening in 1888 as “an indication of the substantial development of the retail trade in Wilmington…[and] an ornament to the lead business center of the city,” BPG believes this new development will be just as influential for the City as the first Crosby and Hill building.
While the majority of development in recent years has been concentrated to Market Street, Crosby Hill marks a significant move westward to widen the core of the Central Business District in Downtown Wilmington. Prior to demolition, the site was originally a standard parking lot. Crosby Hill will relocate the parking underground and bring an estimated 350 people to Shipley Street, which impacts the broader strategy to build critical mass and broaden the Downtown.
To date, BPG has brought over 2,100 units to the residential market in Wilmington and has no plans of stopping. Even with the addition of 300 new units to Downtown Wilmington last year, BPG’s residential portfolio remains stabilized across the board at 95% occupancy with consistent leasing activity at our newest communities The Cooper and 101 dupont place, which are both over 80% occupied.
To join the mailing list for progress updates, please visit www.residecrosbyhill.com.
Delaware’s First Duckpin & Dining Makes its Debut at Wilma’s
Christina River Exchange is pleased to announce the long-anticipated arrival of Wilma’s, Wilmington’s first Duckpin & Dining! Located at 900 N Market Street, Wilma’s transforms the 100-year old bank hall into a full-service bar and 60-seat restaurant with a 4-lane duckpin bowling alley and retro arcade games. The menu features Southern & New Orleans-inspired cuisine from rising Wilmington Chef James Sparks of Makers Alley, and an array of craft cocktails, draft beers, and French wines.
Wilma’s brings a beloved sport back to City limits after nearly 50 years with a fun new twist. While the concept is similar to regular bowling, the setup and rules differ slightly in duckpin bowling. A cross between skeeball and ten-pin bowling, duckpins are slightly smaller than regular pins. Players have three turns, instead of two, to score using a grapefruit-sized ball without holes.
“I can’t wait to make a fool out of myself trying to knock some pins down with a bowling ball with no little things to hang onto, that should be interesting,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki during the ceremony. “But I will be a gamer. I’ll try.”
Not to be over-shadowed by the boisterous games, Wilma’s features a stunning full-service dining room with double height ceilings and a garden trellis bar. There is also a lounge on the mezzanine overlooking the fun and games at bowling alley and a private dining room ideal for intimate gatherings.
The lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch menus are an authentic reflection of beloved Southern dishes derived from Chef Sparks travels over the years. Dishes are infused with rich Creole flavor and combine the meats, seafood, and vegetables of the region into classic entrees like: alligator sliders, French Quarter creole, shrimp and grits, and fried shrimp po’ boys. Recognizing the desire for more weekend breakfast options in Downtown Wilmington, Wilma’s also offers a hearty brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays. Highlights include: a variety of seafood benedict options, steak and eggs, and andouille sausage gravy. Even the cocktail menu reflects the lively spirit of the Big Easy with sazeracs, frozen hurricanes, and other gin-infused drinks.
“Consistent feedback from our residents have suggested that people are looking for more recreational activities downtown,” said Rob Buccini, Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group. “Wilma’s is a refreshing addition to Wilmington’s bar and restaurant scene with an added element of fun.”
From the team behind Makers Alley, I.M. Coffee, and DECO, Wilma’s is the first full-service restaurant owned and operated by The Buccini/Pollin Group. But that’s just the beginning. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, BPG announced its plans to open a shuffleboard club just around the corner at The Residences at Mid-town Park. Shuffle Libre, coming in 2022, will feature full-size shuffleboard courts and a Cuban-themed menu.
Wilma’s is open Wednesday – Friday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Reservations can be made online at goodtimewilmas.com or on the Resy app. Validated parking is available at the Mid-Town Park garage (805 N Orange). Patrons should simply bring their parking ticket with them and present it to their server. For more information on private event rentals for parties of any size, please email events@goodtimewilmas.com
CRE Client Featured on OpenTable: 15 of the Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada
Le Cavalier | Wilmington, DE
By Lauren McDowell for OpenTable
A restaurant with good bones can stand the test of time, and nowhere is that more true than at the brasserie Le Cavalier in Hotel Du Pont. After nearly a century of operation, the hotel restaurant underwent a carefully planned renovation that would conserve the building’s original splendor but bring in a 21st-century point of view. And so the ornate plaster ceiling, fumed oak paneling, and gilded Spanish chandeliers were lovingly brought back, in addition to what management calls the true pièce de résistance: the original, priceless terrazzo floor. A new marble bar was added to the dining room, which is filled with modernist artwork and lush velvet banquettes, where diners enjoy seasonal French menus from award-winning chef Tyler Akin created with locally sourced ingredients.
Continue Reading on OpenTable…
Image Credit: Jason Varney
101 dupont place Receives DCA Construction Excellence Award
Clare Catka, Joe Fulton, Sabrina Matheson
Christina River Exchange project 101 dupont place received a Construction Excellence Awards from the Delaware Contractors Association at the 51st Annual Meeting held on Thursday, October 28th at the Chase Center in Wilmington.
Development and Construction Manager for the project BPGS Construction was presented the Historic Preservation Construction Excellence Award for 101 dupont place, a 198-unit multifamily residential community within the historic Dupont Building in Wilmington, DE. The project converted 240,000 SF of vacant office space across 13 floors into a luxury apartment community, featuring studio to 3-bedroom apartments, a resident lounge in the historically-preserved DuPont Company boardroom, Wilmington’s first rooftop deck, and more.
Congratulations to the entire project team for this well-deserved recognition!
CRE Celebrates Virgin Hotels New Orleans Grand Opening
On Thursday, October 8th, Christina River Exchange joined members of BPGS Construction’s hotel development team to travel to New Orleans to celebrate the city’s resilience and continued growth as an international destination with the opening of Virgin Hotels New Orleans, the most recent hotel from Sir Richard Branson’s expanding brand of lifestyle hotels.
Sir Richard arrived on property, baton in hand, accompanied by the Marching 100, St. Augustine High School’s internationally acclaimed band from nearby Lafayette Square.
Hotel owners The Buccini/Pollin Group and Virgin Hotels New Orleans presented the school with a donation to help and support with damages to the building sustained from Hurricane Ida, while Virgin Hotels Chief Executive Officer James Bermingham and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson addressed the students.
“We’re glad to be part of this community and embrace the incredible spirit of New Orleans,” said Sir Richard. “How wonderful it is to celebrate this beautiful new property and becoming part of the continued growth of one of the world’s most magical cities.”
After the marching parade arrived en masse at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Sir Richard, James Bermingham and Dave Pollin of Buccini/Pollin Group presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony that reflected Sir Richard’s dedication and commitment to the Big Easy. Students and attendees received a native magnolia tree to plant from Common Ground Relief, whose Plant a Million Trees campaign aims to help the city and Gulf Coast communities build healthy, robust coastal wetlands.
No Crescent City event is complete without music and the grand opening event delivered. Musical guests and performers including Ivan Neville and DJs Boyfriend, Logic and Jodeci Juice showcased the hotel’s fabulous dining and entertainment spaces. Performances took place throughout the property — from the ground level Shag Room and Commons Club to the 13th floor Pool Club and Dreamboat.
“Our excitement in opening Virgin Hotels New Orleans grows stronger each day that we get to witness the passion and pride New Orleanians feel for their hometown. The city’s welcoming spirit, lively entertainment and incredible culinary experiences are all things we’re excited to bring to life at our hotel,” said Bermingham.
CRE Procurement Manager Brenda Layne and Procurement Specialist Sabrina Matheson were instrumental in bringing this 225 room hotel to fruition. Please join us in congratulating the entire project team on this momentous occasion!
Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary - A Note from Founder Michelle Schwandt
It’s hard to believe Christina River Exchange opened its doors on A Street five years ago today. Like any new business, we experienced the thrill of success and, as well, the angst of lessons learned as we worked hard as a team to master the art of FF&E procurement.
In five years, we’ve completed 16 hotels, 5 multi-family projects, and 5 restaurants/commercial projects! But we share these successes with our co-workers at The Buccini/Pollin Group, BPGS Construction, and the many professionals to include the designers, architects, contractors, vendors, operators, and our Clients with whom we work every day. We are truly grateful for your support, for making our work enjoyable, and mostly, for your friendship.
And to our CRE team members – both present and legacy – thank you for all you do each and every day. Here’s to many more successful projects together… and to another five years!
Cheers!
Michelle
In the past 5 years, we've worked on incredible projects in a variety of industries! Take a look back at some of our favorites:
Hotel: Virgin Hotels Nashville
Restaurant: Le Cavalier at the Green Room
Commercial Office Space: Swedesford Park
Multifamily Residential: 101 dupont place
Affordable Housing: La Central
Swedesford Park Welcomes Tenants Back With New Amenities
Swedesford Park is a Class A office property located along the highly sought-after Swedesford Road corridor in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The Buccini/Pollin Group purchased and rebranded the 254,680 SF corporate complex in May 2019, and the project has since undergone significant interior and exterior renovations. The four-building complex boasts new facades, lobbies, restrooms, and café as well as the addition of a modern fitness center and conference center. The refreshed landscaping sits on a wooded campus surrounded by unmatched amenities and direct highway access to I-76, 422, and 202.
A City Within Four Walls: 101 dupont place Now Open!
101 dupont place draws from the elegance of yesterday paired with the conveniences of today to create the first luxury living experience within the iconic Dupont Building in downtown Wilmington, DE.
This brand new ResideBPG community offers studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment homes appointed with state-of-the-art features that embrace sophistication and style, including smudge-free stainless-steel appliances available in traditional or matte black, wifi-enabled smart thermostats, backlit vanity mirrors, and Latch Keyless Access. Amenities at 101 dupont place encourage residents to make the most of everyday living, like a rooftop deck with BBQ grills and cornhole court that’s ideal for entertaining, coworking space perfect for working from home, and fitness center with Peleton equipment essential for staying active. The community also features a resident lounge in the historically-preserved DuPont Company boardroom, a movie theater room, and a pet washing station.
For over a century, the Dupont Building has stood as a symbol of prosperity, quite literally, in the heart of Downtown Wilmington. The Buccini/Pollin Group purchased the property in 2017 and has spent the last 3 years enhancing the building to once again become the epicenter of life in Wilmington. The renovations span from the ground floor to the 13th floor and bring new life into this historic space. From 101 dupont place to Le Cavalier at The Green Room, DE.CO Food Hall to Currie Salon & Spa, The Playhouse on Rodney Square to Hotel Dupont, Chemours Worldwide Headquarters to M&T Bank, the Dupont Building is so much more than office space. It is a City Within Four Walls.
Learn more at www.101dupontplace.com.
The Beatrice is Ready for Opening in Providence
The Beatrice is a 47-room boutique hotel centrally located in the lively historic district in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It is steps away from renowned restaurants, universities, commercial, retail, and art, and cultural institutions. Paolino Properties recently updated the historic 1887 Exchange Building creating an expansive glass atrium lobby which will serve as the check-in location for guests of The Beatrice. Also onsite will be a fitness center, two restaurants, and a rooftop bar and lounge serving guests, VIP’s and local patrons.
Hotel interiors feature modern design details to contrast with the 19th century bones of the building. Guestrooms are bathed in a color palette of neutral whites and pale grays accented by touches of pinks and pops of black and gold furniture. Luxe finishes such as herringbone floors, custom carpets, high ceilings and city views distinguish the rooms.
CRE Procurement Specialist, Zach Shope, walked us through the process of completing the FF&E package for a brand new boutique hotel in the middle of a pandemic.
How did you oversee the FF&E installation to ensure client satisfaction?
The Beatrice is a 5-floor hotel, so the installation process started on the 5th floor and worked down from there. It took roughly 3 weeks, but it was rather complicated since multiple trades were working at once. CRE had to coordinate with each trade, from the general contractors to the installers to drapery, etc., so each trade had their own space or floor to work on. It took a lot of communication with daily ownership calls to facilitate the appropriate dates and times for the install of each space.
What is the biggest challenge you faced during this project, and how did you overcome it?
The lobby chandelier is about 30 feet long and has hundreds of glass crystals. Because it is such a huge piece, it required it’s own install team with very detailed instructions.
In regards to COVID-19, it was necessary to adhere to all policies while still keeping the schedule on track. It was important to be knowledgeable of Rhode Island’s protocol. and communicate that with everyone on site in advance.
Is there anything else about the project that you’d like to mention?
One aspect of this project that I really liked was the addition of the rooftop bar to our scope. I enjoyed working on this creative space because the roof featured many coop pieces that made it unique. Overall, this project was super fun because the ownership group and design team were great to work with and always very helpful.
DoubleTree Financial District Renovation Complete
Set in the Stone Street Historic District of lower Manhattan, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York City Financial District is a beautiful downtown hotel with magnificent views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Ellis Island. Brand new guest rooms feature warm mahogany tones and rich colors. They are tastefully appointed with custom wall coverings, distinct furnishings, and baths enhanced with contemporary features.
CRE Procurement Specialist, Zach Shope, gave us a behind the scenes look into renovating an existing brand-name hotel in one of the most visited cities in the world.
Can you breakdown the FF&E installation process?
It is a 44-floor hotel, so the installation was broken down to four floors every week or two starting on the top floor. To ensure client satisfaction, I had weekly calls with the client every Thursday to discuss what’s needed for the current floors, mitigate any issue, and plan for the next week. I also regularly communicated the scheduled with the vendors, construction team, and installation team so everyone was on track.
What is the biggest challenge you faced during this project, and how did you overcome it?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery schedules were constantly changing since many of our venders for the guestrooms were from China. Unfortunately, there was not much we could do since many companies were closed for a month or two. However, we did keep in touch with everyone and planned ahead for a 2-month delay. We did our best to keep vendors motivated to meet deadlines, while also demonstrating empathy and understanding during this difficult time.
Do you have a favorite space or fixture from the project?
The artwork in the public spaces is very cool. The hotel has a very strong city-themed design, but the creative artwork and bold lighting make it unique. An artist even hand-painted the interior mural!
Is there anything else unique about the project that you found interesting?
The Lutron lighting package was very high tech and interesting. It required a lot of attention because there were many moving components, and I learned a lot about the lighting on this project through this process. The approval packages were roughly 160 pages on this project compared to 1-3 pages normally since it was a large order with many details.
The Design Inspiration Behind a Revived 107-Year-Old Hotel Restaurant | Philly Mag
Image Credit: Jason Varney
CRE client Le Cavalier at The Green Room was recently featured by Philadelphia Magazine for the design inspiration behind the space! Check out the article below and read more on phillymag.com.
The Design Inspiration Behind a Revived 107-Year-Old Hotel Restaurant
Le Cavalier at the Hotel Du Pont respects its architectural past while providing smart upgrades for its future.
When Lance Saunders — the design director for Rittenhouse’s Stokes Architecture & Design — was hired to remake the 107-year-old Hotel Du Pont restaurant into a French brasserie, he knew the challenges would be many. “We wanted to make it attractive to a younger crowd without alienating the people who had spent their whole lives going there,” he says. The hotel, which was purchased by the Buccini/Pollin Group in 2017, is part of its multimillion-dollar investment in the area. BPG tapped Philly chef Tyler Akin, owner of Stock, to run Le Cavalier — the restaurant’s new name.
Saunders, who has done work for Starr Restaurants and La Colombe, started by updating the existing historical elements. Then he carefully layered in new seating and lighting and added a bar. “We didn’t want to make this look like Epcot by taking old details and replicating them,” he says. “We reinterpreted new elements in a slightly modern way to signify that this is an old space that’s progressing.”
Image Credit: Jason Varney
The Table is Set: Le Cavalier at the Green Room is Now Open at the Hotel Du Pont
Credit: Le Cavalier at the Green Room
Chef-Partner Tyler Akin, PM Hotel Group and The Buccini/Pollin Group announced the opening of Le Cavalier at the Green Room (Le Cav) in the iconic HOTEL DU PONT on September 1, 2020.
“Le Cavalier” (pronounced: luh-KAH-vuhl-YAY) honors the deep equestrian tradition in the Brandywine River Valley. In the early 20th century when the hotel opened, visitors would arrive by horse as often as they would by automobile or by foot. Further, the name offers a nod to the du Pont family's history of horsemanship, from William du Pont Jr. and Marion du Pont Scott to Frolic Weymouth.
Chef-Partner Tyler Akin’s opening menu draws influence from the South of France and North Africa. The seasonal menu showcases innovative riffs on French classics while emphasizing the abundance of Delaware’s foodways. Starters include Steak Tartare (filet, preserved citrus, white endive, tzatziki), Scallop Crudo (potato sabayon, brown butter, Urfa spice, orange), and the Salade Fin d’Été (grilled corn and peach, heirloom tomato, lemon tahini, garlic breadcrumbs). Entrees range from Poulet Frites (roasted half chicken, sauce meunière, olives) to Cheeseburger Louis Ballast (Le Cav’s signature burger - smashed with lettuce, tomato, onion and dijonnaise), and Trout Amandine (almond, Tunisian eggplant, espelette). Sides emphasize French classics including Pomme Purée, Frites, Haricots Verts, and Salade Verte.
Credit: Neal Santos
Credit: Neal Santos
For something sweet, guests can enjoy a fun and visually striking Sundae (brown butter caramel and sweet cream ice creams, warm chocolate ganache, Green Room macaroons, spiced walnuts and barberries), available for two or four, in addition to classics including Pavlova (mint meringue, peach c rème fraîche , berries) and Coconut Cake (rum crème anglaise, toasted coconut).
For the full Le Cav experience, the restaurant recommends its tasting menu ($42/pp) which culminates in a large format Rougette de Veau (veal shoulder, red wine, roasted maitake mushrooms, pomme purée, crispy garlic).
Le Cav’s beverage program will feature a curated list of wines, craft cocktails with an eye towards French classics through the lens of New Orleans as well as local coffee and tea service. The restaurant’s namesake cocktail is the Le Cav Kir, a playful riff on the classic Kir Royale with huckleberry crème, crémant, and vermouth. The wine menu features a strong emphasis on natural wines — one of the only programs in Delaware to do so — with a robust bottle list and carefully selected options available by the glass.
“This has been the most anticipated restaurant opening of my career,” Chef Tyler Akin recounts. “We are immensely grateful to be opening a restaurant two years in the making, in a historic room that was home to the Green Room for over 100 years — especially in this climate. This is the first time in my professional career that I’ve been able to connect with my French heritage through food and doing that in my hometown of Wilmington holds personal significance.”
Credit: Le Cavalier at the Green Room
The restaurant, designed by Stokes Architecture + Design, features a 118-seat dining room with an intimate 13-seat bar, and seasonal outdoor patio seating. Not all seating will be used during the COVID-19 pandemic; seating will be limited and spaced in accordance with CDC recommendations and local regulations. Director of Design for Stokes Architecture + Design, Lance Saunders, thoughtfully updated the space to create a more lively atmosphere while celebrating the room’s elegant bones. The dining room’s new decor includes luxe velvet and leather banquettes, contemporary French artwork and an expansive, marble bar that anchors the dining room. The most exciting piece to unveil, perhaps, is the intricate, mosaic tile floor that was discovered during construction which dates back to the original Green Room (circa 1913 and made by European craftsmen, well before The Green Room was last updated in the early aughts). The fumed oak paneling and ornate plaster ceiling The Green Room was known for remain intact.
Credit: Le Cavalier at the Green Room
“The Green Room was iconic to many generations of Wilmingtonians. We spent countless hours and energy thinking about what could possibly follow one of the country’s most beautiful, grande dame, special-occasion restaurants. Our objective was to celebrate the irreplaceable history and setting of the Green Room while creating an experience more relevant to today’s diners. After hundreds of meetings with community members, we had a sense of what direction to go. The next step, of course, was to team up with one of America’s most gifted young chefs, and we were blown away that our number one choice was also a native of Wilmington,” said Dave Pollin, co-founder and president of The Buccini/Pollin Group and chairman of PM Hotel Group. “We are thrilled to introduce a restaurant that pays homage to the past while leaning into a new era of culinary excellence.”
Le Cav will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy outdoor seating overlooking the heart of Wilmington. Limited indoor seating will be available in accordance with the CDC, state and local guidelines. Online ordering for pick-up and delivery will also be available on www.lecavalierde.com during these operating hours. In-room dining will be offered for all HOTEL DU PONT guests. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and weekend brunch will begin in the weeks to follow.
The restaurant will be observing all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its team, guests and the greater Wilmington community. All employees have restaurant-provided PPE and receive temperature checks daily. Sanitizing stations will be available for guest and employee use and features will be implemented to allow guests to control how much tableside service they prefer during their meal. All guests must wear masks except for when seated at their table and are asked to maintain social distancing throughout the dining room to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all.
To make a reservation and learn more, please visit www.lecavalierde.com and follow on Instagram @lecavalierde.
Now Open: Virgin Hotels Nashville!
Featured on hospitalitynet.org
Virgin Hotels Nashville, the lifestyle hotel brand developed by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, opens Wednesday, July 1st, at 1 Music Square W. Reservations are currently being accepted and can be made directly on the hotel's website, virginhotels.com/nashville or by calling (800) 806-8080.
Ranging from 291 to 592-square feet, all Chambers (rooms) are designed to consist of two distinct spaces separated by a barn-style sliding door, complete with a peephole, ideal for working, recharging, wellness and an overall better contactless experience. The first space, "The Dressing Room", combines the hallway and a dressing area which includes a full vanity, makeup desk with well-lit mirror, an extra-large shower with a bench complete with Red Flower toiletries, and a closet for two. Slide open the privacy door and guests will enter "The Lounge" with the brand's patented ergonomically designed lounge bed, a red SMEG® mini-fridge, High Definition TV, yoga mat, pedestal table and a cozy built-in window seating offers views of the Nashville skyline and Music Row. Ample outlets for smartphones, computers or other electronic devices are found in various areas of the rooms. All Chambers feature custom lighting on sensors that automatically illuminate when guests move. Additional amenities for pets are available in the Chambers. Virgin Hotels has always been committed to the health and safety of guests and the brand is taking additional measures to ensure guests feel safe throughout their time on property. With the opening of the hotel, the brand is ushering in a new standard of hospitality with the upgraded mobile app Lucy that allows guests to have a truly "touch free" experience via mobile keys, controlling lighting, thermostats and TVs, ordering room service and checking out all from their own mobile device.
Virgin Hotels Nashville offers dining and drinking options for both locals and hotel guests to enjoy. Executive Chef Patrick McEntyre oversees the culinary experiences at The Pool Club and Funny Library Coffee Shop. Located on the 14th floor of the hotel, The Pool Club boasts an indoor and outdoor bar and restaurant where guests can enjoy chef-driven food and inventive cocktails day or night. The seasonal menu features a variety of light bites, hearty entrees, fresh salads and sides. Whether it's lunch by the pool, dinner with a friend or snacks after work, The Pool Club offers a dining experience for every occasion. The beverage program highlights playful and refreshing drinks like champagne-based cocktails, boozy snow cones and a selection of local craft beer, spirits and wine. Local DJs spin soulful, laidback tunes regularly, rounding out the relaxed club experience. On the first floor of the hotel, the Funny Library Coffee Shop offers Laughing Man® coffee, the brand co-founded by actor Hugh Jackman, and a menu of grab and go items for breakfast and lunch. Commons Club, Virgin Hotels' flagship restaurant, bar and lounge, is set to debut this fall on the first floor of the hotel. Anchoring the main entrance of the hotel, Commons Club is designed to feel like a "members only" experience that's open to all. A specially curated entertainment and music program will add to the overall experience which evokes the feeling of a modern social club without dues, where both travelers and locals can enjoy.
Leading interior design firm, MARKZEFF, designed the property to be modern yet comfortable with playful elements incorporated throughout. Drawing inspiration from the Nashville region, design details are represented through the use of intricate brick, roughhewn timber, sumptuous furnishings and refined industrial elements. Nashville's rich history largely influenced the spaces, while artwork and custom furniture play a key role to create a delightful and memorable experience. Guests can find subtle nods to Nashville throughout the design like in the meeting spaces where the carpets are a modern interpretation of vintage quilts one might find in the area. More noticeably, music is celebrated from the moment patrons enter the hotel. A showstopping Music City Ensemble installation, designed by John Peralta, features a 12-piece ensemble of country music instruments - provided by some of the top manufacturers including A&F Drum Co, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Eastwood Guitars - floating weightlessly from the ceiling of the hotel lobby to welcome guests.
Developed by The Buccini/Pollin Group and operated by Virgin Hotels, the new-build property joins the city's iconic Music Row neighborhood, which is home to some of the most famous recording studios in music history, shops, restaurants and other attractions. The exterior, designed by BLUR Workshop and Nashville-based Hastings Architecture, taps into the history of the city while continuing to progress the city's wave of modern architecture.
The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, which is open 24 hours a day, and over 9,000-square feet of flexible meeting and event space. To maximize their time on property, guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program, The Know, to unlock member rate discounts, room upgrades, exclusive dining and event offers and a complimentary cocktail hour dubbed "The Spirit Hour."
CRE Clients Featured in Food & Wine Magazine
Congratulations to our clients Le Cavalier at the Green Room, Bardea Food & Drink, and DECO Wilmington who were recognized by Food and Wine magazine for their influence on Wilmington's Restaurant Renaissance!
Wilmington, Delaware’s Restaurant Scene Deserves Your Attention
By: Regan Stephens
In just a few days, Tyler Akin will know what the floors look like. The drab, worn rugs inside the 2,500-square-foot dining room will be ripped up, where the terrazzo underneath may or may not be ruined from a previous renovation. Akin, the chef and owner of Philadelphia’s Stock and Res Ipsa, is working on his biggest project to date, about 30 miles south.
The 36-year-old Delaware native is reimagining the Green Room in Wilmington’s historic Hotel Du Pont, which has, until now, remained largely unchanged for the last hundred-or-so years. The new restaurant, named Le Cavalier, is expected to open this spring, joining a host of new restaurants making Delaware’s biggest city a supremely compelling place to eat.
The Hotel Du Pont first opened in 1913 inside the DuPont building, which occupies an entire city block in downtown Wilmington. Inspired by the opulent hotels populating European cities at the time, the 217-room property has hosted dozens of luminaries over the years, including Amelia Earhart, Katherine Hepburn, and Eleanor Roosevelt. In 2017, the building was bought by local real estate developer the Buccini/Pollin Group, which, along with PM Hotel Group and Akin, have set about giving the Green Room a contemporary upgrade.
“There aren’t many examples quite like the Green Room,” says Akin, who grew up visiting it. “It hits you in the face—you’re walking through history.”
The Green Room revamp is coming in the midst of a restaurant renaissance that’s helping to revitalize the city of Wilmington at large. In the fall of 2018, modern Italian bistro Bardea opened, and within the year it was a James Beard Award semi-finalist for best new restaurant—a first for Wilmington.
Co-owner Scott Stein says he and partner Antimo DiMeo started thinking about opening a restaurant in the city about five years ago. “It still had some growing and developing to do, so we were patient and waited a few years before going for it,” he says. “When we found the space that is now Bardea, we knew it was a fit and we were eager to become a part of this amazing city.”
Just last fall, a local restaurant group opened the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Torbert Street Social in a historic brick building that was once a horse stable, tucked behind a string of restaurants in the city’s Financial District. Also housed in the DuPont building, Deco—short for Delaware Collective, and a nod to the area’s Art Deco architecture—is a new food hall with eight restaurant stalls, a bar, and a private event space. Seven stalls in the $3.5 million project are constant, and range from pastries and banh mi to a pizza-focused outpost of Bardea, while one stall is revolving, allowing local chefs to test concepts before committing to a brick and mortar. While food halls have been opening in cities across the country over the last few years, this is Wilmington’s first, and it's a big deal.
As places like Deco and Bardea were propelling Wilmington’s food scene forward—with dishes like Deco’s banh mi with barbecue pork and housemade veggie chips, and Bardea's hamachi collar aged in foie gras—the Green Room remained stagnant, serving standards like shrimp cocktail and surf and turf…