Interior Design Reminiscent of the Washington, D.C. Trolley System that Populated this Region
Acclaimed interdisciplinary design firm, HGA, led the planning, architecture, interior design, and engineering of The Heights at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase, Md. The 9,500 square-foot food hall, developed by Common Plate Hospitality, is located at 5310 Western Avenue. It features eight food stalls, a full-service bar, a sit-down restaurant, and a speakeasy.
Prominently located adjacent to the Friendship Heights Metro station in the retail base of the Microsoft Office Tower, The Heights opens to Wisconsin Avenue, welcoming passersby on the busy thoroughfare. The design of the food hall breathes life into a long vacant urban space with an exterior featuring broad glass openings framed by faux plant wall panels. An indoor and outdoor connection is achieved through the placement of large, glass rollup doors located on the Wisconsin Avenue entry and a dining patio located in the courtyard, opening to Willard Avenue.
(Photo courtesy: Photos by John Rorapaugh for Leading DC)
“The Heights was an incredible opportunity to illustrate a piece of Washington’s history through design, most notably the trolley system that moved people between downtown Washington, D.C. and the suburbs,” said Ben Webne, AIA, principal with HGA.
The interior design of this elevated culinary experience is reminiscent of the Washington, D.C. trolley system that moved people between downtown Washington, D.C. and the suburbs. The ceiling in the center of the food hall features a rail track with an immense sign that says, Find Paradise. This sign leads patrons throughout the food hall to each culinary partner’s uniquely designed curvilinear shaped stall.
Indoor seating is in a white space accented with colorful art; an outdoor patio also beckons diners.
Additional design elements reflect the architecture of rail cars and the shapes and materials of the radio and cell towers that populate Friendship Heights, one of the highest points in Washington, D.C.
The following culinary partners are featured in the space:
- Urbano, a full-service restaurant
- The Heights Bar, a full-service bar
- The Turncoat, a speakeasy, and
- Eight local food stalls including:
- Saoco, offering Cuban cuisine;
- This Deli of Ours, featuring artisan sandwiches and house made pickles;
- DC Dosa offers Indian cuisine,
- Sky Lanterns, featuring Thai food;
- Smoke & Grill Supreme Barbecue
- Aunteaboba, featuring smokey, savory flavors from the grill
- Yasmine, a Lebanese-inspired kabab shop, and
- Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream offers unique flavors ranging from black sesame to lychee.
About HGA: HGA is an acclaimed interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of over 1,000 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists, with 13 offices. Our national practice spans multiple markets, including corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, healthcare, and science and technology. Visit HGA.com or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
About Common Plate Hospitality: Common Plate Hospitality is an innovative venture founded by long-time friends Chad Sparrow and Larry Walston. Beginning with the launch of Mason Social in 2015, their culinary journey continued to flourish, giving rise to Urbano 116 and Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden in 2018. This hospitality group weaves together architectural brilliance, gastronomic artistry, and artisanal beverages, offering a holistic experience to patrons. With a commitment to redefining dining through diverse flavors and captivating designs, Common Plate Hospitality invites you to join them in savoring extraordinary moments. For more information, visit www.commonplatehospitality.com
