[caption id="attachment_757" align="alignright" width="212" caption="Glow Chicago"][/caption] NIGHTCLUBDESIGN.COM These days almost every thing has it's place and home on the internet and every subject has a multitude of websites devoted to it. For example, houzz.com, provides an exchange of ideas and projects for home remodeling and design that is inspiring to your average...
Continue ReadingCrobar is an awarding winning and internationally renowned nightlife brand owned by partners, and founders, Ken Smith and Callin Fortis. Originally friendly competitors in Chicago, they joined forces in 1989 to collaborate on more than a dozen successful restaurants, lounges and nightclubs in Chicago, Miami, and New York City. It...
Continue ReadingMy name is not Imago Montoya, thou if "you killed my father you should be prepared to die." The line from the film Princess Bride is one that will never ever leave pop culture and has left a lasting and quotable meaning for so many. Not unlike...
Continue ReadingI have written about this recession and what I think it means for the hospitality, nightclub design and nightlife industry as a whole. I have seen many trends, ups and downs in the economy and general malaise in the nightclub business. We have become a country of need...
Continue Reading'Crobar, The making of a mega club' follows the planning,construction and gala opening of New York's hot, new megaclub. Part 'Trading Spaces' and 'Studio 54, ' the video will feature interviews with nightclub designer Callin Fortis and Kenny Smith, co-owners of Crobar....
Continue ReadingPug Doe If you are expecting some spark or new tip on nightclub design or how the tony Mondrian Hotel was received or what is being creating for the all new and improved Betsy Hotel make over in South Beach, you are about to be sadly mistaken. Instead...
Continue ReadingIt's Sunday and normally I wouldn't be blogging today, however, this graphic I found on blinkr is compelling and interesting. Though no reference to really much at all, this imagery is bemusing and not without political under tones. My take is COFFEE and cigarettes. Come on, its...
Continue Reading[caption id="attachment_158" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="Collaboration: Collins and Fortis"] Joinery Detail My friend Tim Collins of Skwehr Design wasn't always my close friend. The design community is a small one here in Miami and when I came to this Island of South, beach that is, I was astounded by my inability...
Continue ReadingThe cameo nightclub was just a beta test for this behemoth Truthfully, I was going to take today off. We all worked in the studio late crunching out a deadline for CRUNCH and had to make a fed ex deadline by 2pm. Side bar: Hire a design/architecture firm that works on...
Continue ReadingPerfect. You've now negotiated a great lease based on 6% of gross. You have gotten the normal and yes, I do mean NORMAL 90 day buildout from your landlord and now you are ready for the next big step. Unless you are a seasoned operator and concept...
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