Concept Description:
Honoring the rich agricultural history of the Phoenix area we look toward the cotton fields and citrus groves for our inspiration. Bringing forward the traditions that come from life closer to nature, Carcara focuses on delivering simple comforts with refined details. The design offers a sense of nostalgia but with a fresh sensibility that lives deeply in the here-and-now with a focus on our sense of place in Phoenix, Arizona.
Highlighting honest materials; wood, metal, cotton fabrics and woven installations made from cotton, the space will be grounded in the familiar but presented in an unexpected, fun and approachable way.
Project Description:
Carcara is located on the South-East corner of the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix and is accessible either through the ground floor lobby of the hotel or from the entrance off 3rd Street. The restaurant is a total of 7,000 square feet including a 2,000 square foot outdoor patio. Featuring a center bar, indoor lounge, main dining area with 14-foot tree, three private dining rooms and an outdoor lounge and dining area with traditional fireplace and two firepits. Carcara has been designed to offer something for every guest and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening cocktails.
From the moment guests arrive the line between indoor and outdoor is blurred bringing the overgrown feel of the outdoor patio into the restaurant. At the host area guests are greeted by lush greenery both in a mix of clay pots and from a large hanging wood planter suspended from the ceiling. Marble pavers in a variety of colors and shapes add to the outdoor feel on the floor while an impressive wood trellis hangs over the full inside of the restaurant and continues over the patio on the exterior.
Past the entry is the lounge and bar area. The lounge has an eclectic mix of comfortable patio-style furniture with upholstery in ochre and sunbaked gold tones. Off-white marble and wood table tops visually connect the space to the bar with marble top. The large center bar anchors the open space and creates the transition from the dining area inside the restaurant to the outdoor patio. Adjacent the bar is a sliding glass door system that when open creates a 40-foot-wide opening to the patio. A tall metal, glass and wood liquor bottle display cabinet glows on one end of the bar adding visual weight while a cluster of glass pendant lights add sparkle and a vibrant pop of color over the center of the bar.
Possibly the most impressive part of the space is the 14-foot tall Chestnut Oak tree growing through the wood trellis in the center of the dining room. This custom tree has a 21-foot diameter canopy and collection of glass and metal lanterns hanging within the branches to add a soft glow. A modern park-style bench banquette wraps the trunk of the tree allowing guests to dine under the foliage.
The outdoor patio offers guests a mix of dining and lounge areas. A large adobe fireplace at the back of the space is the backdrop for the eclectic furniture groupings including some that are also used on the inside of the restaurant. Flanking the perimeter of the patio are three Cara Cara orange trees, these trees are the inspiration and namesake for the restaurant. Adding to the overgrown and lush feel of the patio are the branches and foliage of lemon trees growing around the wood trellis above.
Project Design Team:
- Vincent Celano – Founder & CEO
- Stephanie Niebler – Partner & Creative Director
- Medline Chang – Interior Designer
- Mark Simpson – Lighting Design
- Garrett Kramer – Senior Graphic Designer
