The mackaywong design team was approached by Manga Hotels Group, the proud owners of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Fredericton, to build on the Property’s excellent reputation as a destination urban resort by renovating their existing static lobby environment into an active and engaging lobby bar, as well as creating a destination restaurant to replace their current underperforming dining experience.
mackaywong analyzed the Property’s competition, the Operator’s aspirational objectives and considered areas of missed opportunities to lead our team to strategically position the food and beverage experience as an upscale casual destination where fun loving cocktail aficionado’s and food lover’s are delivered moniker cocktails and mouth-watering cuisine inspired by the classic bourbon bar culture and a lively take on a modern Barbecue experience.
As design inspiration, using the Saint John River as a muse, mackaywong drew its Design Narrative from the age of invention and travel through the exploring the history and features of the steam ships that voyaged up and down the Saint John River.
The existing two story lobby provided our design team with an excellent opportunity to create a bar that engages the grand proportions of the room, celebrating the height of the space with an astounding double height back bar display, meanwhile the lobby is planned in a manner that organizes the complex flow of guests through-out the space for multiple journeys yet serves as a central gathering space that offers a broad variety of seating styles that are strategically planned throughout the lobby to respond to the various uses needed throughout the day.
The current restaurant that existed was without any distinct character or concept. mackaywong developed the restaurant’s brand, STMR 36 BBQ and Social, to reflect the characteristics of the restaurant. The space invites the guest into its kitchen through a full height glazed display, which ends with a backdrop of a vibrant red tile. Communal tables celebrate the local’s respect of gathering, while thoughtful vintage artifacts reminiscent of the steam ship’s boiler room’s contents of goods and storage flank the surrounding walls within custom metal shelving and displays with a modern approach.
Photography by Creative Supply Productions
