Title: Halls Chophouse Nashville
Location of Proejct: Nashville, TN
Project Completion Date: May 31, 2022
Firm Name: Garvin Design Group

Short Description: Design for a new Nashville location for critically acclaimed restaurant Halls Chophouse accomplishes three ambitious objectives: it showcases views of the city skyline; maximizes limited square footage to include both service spaces and dining areas; and creates an atmosphere that was at once identifiable as a Halls restaurant and yet profoundly place bound. Spatial organization provides expansive views of the surrounding cityscape while enabling staff to move between service and dining areas with Halls’ characteristic dexterity. Interior details achieve Halls’ intended dual identity as both a member of the renowned restaurant family and as a uniquely Nashville establishment.

Architect's Statement: When the Halls family elected to open a new location for their critically acclaimed Chophouse in Nashville, the hospitality group sought to create a dining experience befitting both its well-established reputation for luxury and the youthful energy and glamour of Nashville. Halls Chophouse selected the ground floor of the new Broadwest building for its downtown location, proximity to similarly sophisticated amenities, and its views of the city’s rapidly evolving skyline. The 21-story Broadwest building features expansive glass curtain walls, providing an impressive and modern context. Upfit for Halls Chophouse Nashville needed to complement the modernity of the Broadwest building while providing the same sense of warm, traditional southern hospitality that made the Halls name famous. Design also needed to maximize limited square footage for hospitality while minimizing the visibility of service areas.

The design team applied surgical precision in programming Halls’ new space. Support functions are strategically grouped deep in the interior to minimize visibility of service routes and areas. An internal corridor wraps around the main kitchen, providing guests a glimpse into the magic of Halls’ culinary operations. Main and private dining rooms, lounge areas, and two ample bar areas are placed along the perimeter, providing expansive views through Broadwest’s character-defining glass curtain walls.

Unique to the Nashville location is the open kitchen with circulation and views on three sides. As Halls Chophouse Executive Chef Matthew Niessner describes, this open kitchen exhibits “the show” that is Halls’ refined culinary and service specialty operations. Curved glass walls offer panoramic views from the kitchen into multiple dining rooms, which are situated along the main circulation path, so all guests feel part of “the show.” Emerald tile walls extend into the kitchen and copper accents adorn the feature walls. Custom metalwork over shelves flanks the main cook line with natural butcherblock and quartz pass windows. These high-end finishes showcase the restaurant’s defining features: the world-class food and service that emanate from Halls’ kitchens. An adjacent curved banquette gives guests a front row seat to watch the Halls team and “service swarm” in action.

Fixtures and finishes celebrate both Halls’ branding and the restaurant’s Nashville setting. Dark wood millwork in the host entry and a custom jewel box wine display invoke the familiar feeling of Halls luxury at the restaurant’s entry. Hexagon mosaics in custom pattern, vast sapele mahogany bar tops, cork-wrapped columns, dark maple beadboard/millwork, and interior brick walls recall the Charleston flagship that made the name “Halls” famous. Acoustic ceiling fins, bronze coil drapery, and tri-toned Murano glass light fixtures exude the youthful energy and glamour of Music City.

Interior and exterior dining areas offer extensive views of the city skyline in an intimate setting. Exterior dining areas overlooking 16th Avenue and Broadway provide both communal and private outdoor seating. Motorized exterior roller shades create retractable walls for the “front porch” seating along Broadway. Custom casework behind the main bar ensures bar patrons have unobstructed views to the outside.