sbe and real estate subsidiary Dakota Development announce collaboration with Rockwell Group

Greystone Manor and Mercato di Vetro to be reimagined for 2016 openings

News provided by

Aug 19, 2015, 04:13 ET

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- sbe, the Los Angeles-based creative hospitality company that develops, manages and operates leading hospitality venues, has tapped world renowned Rockwell Group, known for its diverse range of projects from hotels, to restaurants, to set design, to reimagine and transform Los Angeles venues Greystone Manor and Mercato di Vetro. In partnership with the recently announced real estate subsidiary of sbe, Dakota Development, these newly conceptualized properties will offer exceptional guest experiences reopening in 2016.

Rendering of Greystone Manor Entry Way (Photo courtesy of: sbe/Rockwell Group)

As the most powerful nightlife operator in the market, sbe has been at the forefront of evolving conceptual venues that set cultural trends in the hospitality market with a focus on exceptional, forward-thinking design partnered with acclaimed service. The Dakota team, the award-winning development arm, will oversee the design and development of the properties in collaboration with Rockwell Group.

"Our approach at sbe has always been to place a high importance on delivering curated and quality experiences with an immense focus on collaborating with partners that match our creativity and eagerness to deliver world-class venues," said Sam Nazarian, sbe Founder, Chairman and CEO. "We have built our reputation as a world-class leader, operating the most successful hospitality brands, and this re-concepting allows us to further evolve West Hollywood nightlife and restaurant culture."

Operations will be led by Costas Charalambous, President sbe Nightlife Group, who adds "We believe this next stage in reimagining these locations will offer the Los Angeles community dynamic and smartly conceptualized experiences."

Rockwell Group's redesign will begin with Mercato di Vetro, a two-story environment based on the European-influenced concept of an assemblage of rooms around a central courtyard, defined by a louver wall. The new design will allow for a dine and play atmosphere that will be reflected in the culinary vision for the property. The sequence of ground floor spaces, which includes lounges, a terrace, and a central bar, provides guests with different experiences. Guests can linger over small plates and wine in the terrace, sip cocktails at the bar or in one of three lounges, and experience the more lively lounge areas on the second floor. The space is set to be unveiled early spring 2016.

The second project will debut early winter 2016, as sbe's popular and beloved nightlife venue, Greystone Manor, is reimagined as an avant-garde cortile. The legendary nightlife venue that has been a top performer for sbe will offer new environments where guests can enjoy dinners and lounge, while still offering a central nightclub for that coveted entertainment and dance experience. From entry to dance floor, the nightclub will be a glamorous environment layered with a rich language of materials. With illuminated LED animation, graphic coverings inspired by exotic foliage and magical surrealism, soft banquettes in plush fabrics, and elements of marble and champagne metal, the nightclub will transport patrons into an electric and dynamic escape that offers transformative experiences room-to-room.

"We are excited to be leading this transformation of sbe's iconic venues that further drive the evolution of the nightlife landscape," said Dakota Development President Joe Faust. "Rockwell Group is an exceptional partner with a forward thinking outlook on crafting experiences through design. We are thrilled to be working with them for our design collaboration."

"Our goal for Mercato di Vetro and Greystone Manor was to create multiple areas within each space to allow guests to choose his or her own experience," said David Rockwell, founder and President of Rockwell Group. "Layers of sumptuous, highly textured, and beautifully crafted materials are revealed as guests move deeper into the spaces."

For more information on sbe and Dakota Development, please visit www.sbe.com and www.dakotadev.com.

ABOUT SBE:
sbe is a creative hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hotels, restaurants and night clubs. Through exclusive partnerships with cultural visionaries, sbe is dedicated to delivering the best in design, culinary and entertainment. Already a proven leader in the hospitality and real estate industries, sbe has more than 80 properties currently operating or in development, and has expanded several of its flagship brands including SLS Hotels, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Hyde Lounge and The Redbury, nationally and internationally. Founded in 2002 by Chairman and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe is a privately held company. More information about sbe can be obtained at sbe.com or by downloading the sbe App.

ABOUT ROCKWELL GROUP:
Rockwell Group is an award-winning, cross-disciplinary architecture and design practice based in New York with satellite offices in Madrid and Shanghai. The firm crafts a unique narrative for each project through the intersection of theater and architecture. Projects include Nobu restaurants and hotels worldwide; The New York EDITION and The Clocktower restaurant; Chefs Club by Food & Wine (New York); Gato (New York); the renovation of Newark Airport Terminal C dining venues; TED Theater (Vancouver, BC); W Hotels (New York, Paris, Singapore, and Vieques); NeueHouse (New York, Los Angeles and London); OMNIA (Las Vegas and San Diego); set design for On The Twentieth Century, Kinky Boots and Hairspray, and the Academy Awards (2009, 2010).