The Union Bar

Our latest project, The Union, opens tonight at 219 Union Street, Vancouver.

We got a sneak taste of what’s in store the other night with some food and cocktail tasting (photos below). Chef, Lisa Henderson has created a Southeast Asian inspired menu, while barman Arthur Wynne uses the regions ingredients, sourced from neighbouring Chinatown, to infuse his cocktails.

More photos to follow. In the meantime, here’s a brief description of the design.

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The Union is a 2,100 sq.ft. modern yet eclectic space utilizing dark woods, reclaimed barn board, exposed concrete walls and floors, large-scale pendants, custom wood tables and benches, and neighbourhood imagery, creating a contemporary and inclusive room. The space is organized around the bar and kitchen.

Upon entering the space, the 14 seat bar (with emeco Lancaster bar stools) is prominently highlighted by four backlit cabinets featuring detail images of texture and colour of the grittier aspects of the Chinatown/Strathcona neighbourhood (Photography by Janis Nicolay). Chalkboards above present the bar’s offering, which focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, also prominently displayed.

The 70 seat dining area is comprised of three long wood communal tables and benches. A long banquette at the back of the room separates the diners from the service spaces. Above the communal tables hang nine Jielde Augustin large pendant lamps, chosen for their simple and industrial aesthetic.

Adjacent the bar, the open kitchen is wrapped in reclaimed barn board panels. The installation was inspired the Union Street locale.

The lyrics to “Crosstown Traffic” not only reference the young Jimi Hendrix who ventured up to Vancouver to spend his summer holidays, but also the Georgia Street viaduct which was constructed in the early 1970′s as part of an extensive freeway system which was to flow traffic from the suburbs “crosstown” to Vancouver. Hendrix would spend his summer holidays with his grandmother, Nora Hendrix, who worked at Vie’s Chicken Shack (next door to The Union, where the Jimi Hendrix Shrine now stands) The lyrics have been broken apart and reassembled to represent the fracturing of the neighbourhood caused by the viaduct, which went directly through the predominantly black community of Hogan’s Alley (Park Lane).

There is a common design language used throughout The Union with Evoke being responsible for: interior design, custom-designed furniture, feature wall installations, menus and all branding (including name development, logo identity, collateral graphics, signage).

The Union Bar: 219 Union Street, Vancouver. www.TheUnionBar.ca | Twitter: @TheUnionBar

Working For The Union.

Our latest restaurant project, The Union Bar, is moving into the final stages as the installation takes shape wrapping around the kitchen wall and equipment starts moving in.

Stencilling for wall installation.

The install.

Site discussions.

The Union Bar is located at 219 Union Street, Vancouver (at Main & Union on the edge of Chinatown).

Follow updates on twitter @evokeid and @theunionbar.

See also: Scout Magazine – Habit & Cascade Folks To Open New Southeast Asian Restaurant “The Union”.

Heavy Metal.

Interior/exterior metal work is now installed in preparation for the October unveiling of our design for new Yaletown restaurant, Chinois.

Electric Owl

Our design for the recently opened restaurant & Live music venue, Electric Owl is complete. The large open space broken up by raised seating areas, steel partitions and a back izakaya dining area featuring a large neon wall installation. The best part though, our design gets to play host to one of our favourite artists next month, Paul Kelly – September 18 / 19. If you’re in Vancouver we’ll see you there!

Photography by Janis Nicolay.

Latitude Revolution.

It was a snowy Saturday spent indoors graffiti-ing our design/message onto the concrete block wall at Latitude on Main Street. Latitude, now part of the growing Cascade Company, reopens this Thursday, March 3. So, if you want to see the finished message drop by – we’ll be at the bar, quaffing mojito’s.

Hudson Wallpaper Installation

Our wallpaper designs have been installed and now grace the common areas of The Hudson project in Victoria, BC.

Photography: Raef Grohne

Beavers and Moose and Foxes, Oh My: The Hudson Opens.

The Hudson in Victoria, BC is a new project featuring Evoke designed interiors.

“The Hudson is a comprehensive rehabilitation of the historic Hudson’s Bay building in Uptown Victoria – converting this once grand department store into intelligently designed, modern flats, double-height lofts and magnificent penthouses.”

We were also responsible for the common areas where we created the wallpaper, weaving the history of the Hudson Bay Company into a custom design. Built on a history of fur trading, beaver, foxes and moose play an integral part in the design.

Commune Cafe Opens

Our latest design project, Commune Cafe is now open. Commune is a contemporary space utilizing light woods, recycled felt upholstery, cork pendants, custom wood tables and bright red chairs, creating a contemporary and inclusive room. The space is organized around the service counter, with large food display units and menu boards viewable from any location. A large scale, vibrant mural depicts a time when the cafe was the hub of social life and the  inspiration for the exchange of ideas and creativity.

There is a common design language used throughout Commune with Evoke being responsible for: interior design, custom-designed furniture, wall mural illustration and branding (including name development, logo identity, collateral graphics, signage).

Commune Cafe has been a fun project for us, with inspirations coming from the collaborative nature of the clients and the innovative food program initiated by Tine Fineza and Annette Rawlinson. We’ve learned over the years to listen closely to our clients and consultants, as good ideas and inspiration can come from any direction. This type of strong relationship always manifests itself in highly successful results, and early indications are showing that Commune Cafe will continue the trend.

Thanks to Janis Nicolay for her wonderful photography.

21st Century Bars

Evoke International Design is proud to announce the latest release by Images Publishing Group, of “21st Century Bars”, featuring two Evoke designed Vancouver hot spots, The Cascade Room on Main Street and Gastown’s The Irish Heather.

“21st Century Bars”, is a 240 page hardcover book featuring the best designed bars from around the world, from London to New York, Berlin to Melbourne, and is currently available online at www.imagespublishinggroup.com

The Images Publishing Group is one of the best-known international publishers of architecture and interior design titles.

Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo is almost here! We have just put the finishing touches on the initial suite at the Plaza 500 – soon to be  - Hotel Indigo Vancouver. The mandate was to create a new modern aesthetic embracing the natural beauty of Vancouver combined with forward thinking design. A focus on local designers such as Bensen and Brent Comber provide a punch of colour and warm wood accents. Evoke designed murals and artwork (in conjunction with Vancouver photographer Janis Nicolay) round out the design concept.

Thanks to Wade Comer of DGK for room photos.