Old and New Unite!!!

Transition of 1965 original structure to the new dining space. Had to figure out how best to do this, went with the organic approach. Just let them come together and live with the marriage. I am very happy with the result.

More rubble

Nothing better then a pile of rubble to make men feel manly. 

roof is on

Well if it rains or a monsoon comes along we are somewhat protected. That's John our master supervisor keeping everyone in line.

Ceiling

Sprayed the ceiling this past weekend. The beams, that were sand blasted, will be treated which will bring out the color and make them shimmer. Wanted to go dark to bring more of a warm mood to the room. Ralph Lauren really does make some great colors, this one is "starry midnight". 

Bar wall

Nice to be able to see the space take shape. This is the support wall for the bar top. Just the beginning, but gives us an idea of the shape in the space. One thing I have learned, no matter how much experience I have, or how many spaces we have created, the is never enough space. In other words, its going to be a cozy bar.

Garage Doors

Cutting holes for the 10 ft. wide garage doors that will open up the bar area to the patio and match the two garage doors on  the interior dining side of the space, which also open up to the patio.

Ceiling

Well no matter how tough our economy gets at least it looks like we might have a roof over our heads. Wish we could do a glass roof and let all this beautiful light in. Another sunny day in Phoenix.

Awning???Trelis??Eave???

We cannot figure out the correct term for this feature above the garage doors. Basically an overhang over the doors, will add down lighting, framed in Core 10 steel that will rust. On the right side there will be a light box which will back light lazer cut lettering of our logo inset in the steel. A mouthful, but it will look pretty cool. 

Window Continued...

Oh the little window that was...now a window that will have to wait until next weekend to be its new happy self. Apparently acrylic is quite a bit cheaper in Houston, so waiting for it means all the fabrication will also have to wait. Should be completed next week. 

Tomorrow will get shots of trellis going up. Now thats exciting. also have to decide what color to do the interior ceiling in the bar area. Had my mind set on Dark brown. but after seeing this shot an looking through window at night, I am starting to lean towards keeping in light. Do not want to shrink the size of the room. Have to think this one over.

Replacing WIndow

Marcus and his worker bees taking out 45 year old window, replacing it this evening into the late hours. Window has an 18 ft. diameter. Will post new framed window when complete. We have to wait for the new acrylic and will be fabricating a steel Tiki God Mask as the center piece of the window. 

Links to articles on Hula's Phoenix

Phoenix New Times

AZ Central

AZ Central

Downtown Phoenix Journal

Modern Phoenix

Framing the new section

17 feet of metal framing looks really high. Guys are flying along, great, great crew. 

Cement foundation

Guys poured the foundation today for the new dining area. Walls should start going up this week and the design of the building will begin to take shape. Nothing more exciting then watching cement dry. 

We also had a 4 hour meeting, discussing the possibility of opening up the bar wall facing the patio using two garage doors, which will mirror the garage doors on the new space, creating all walls opening to the patio. Wow, hope we can pull this off, would have an amazing effect in creating an entire open air restaurant and bar.

Expanding kitchen window

Standing in the space Friday, we decided that it would be a better visual to have the opening window looking into the kitchen to wrap around the wall, giving a more open, visual effect.

Framing Kitchen

Interior of original building starting to take shape. Walls framed, most of electrical in. 

Pouring foundation

Lots of cement trucks today pouring the foundation. Everything seems to be on scheduale.