Envisioned as a combination microbrewery and beer hall adaptive reuse project in a walk-able New Jersey downtown, this concept would revitalize a vacant grocery store space and provide a new gathering spot for the community. The existing building has full lot coverage allowing for access from both the front and back, as well as, a high ceilinged basement space that runs the length of the building. Additionally, a small apartment formerly occupied the second floor on the front of the building.
This proposal imagines utilizing the wide open main level as a welcoming bar near the entrance that transitions to a beer hall in the back. Like many traditional European beer halls, the idea is to create a sense of community by eschewing distracting televisions, individual seating and the like in favor of a more pared down and social experience. The existing masonry walls would be exposed and a series of long skylights would be introduced into the wood framed roof to brighten the length of the beer hall.
The basement level would contain storage for the raw ingredients and finished product, as well as, the brewing operation itself. Given the size of the fermentation tanks, the idea is cut away part of the main level and have the tops of the tanks be visible from the bar and beer hall. This would also help satisfy the legal requirement of providing patrons with tours of the beer making process prior to serving them by exposing the workings of the brewery from above.
A small, private event space would occupy the former second floor apartment and be accessible via an open steel stair that ties all three levels together. Restroom facilities and storage would be located in wood clad volumes on each level.
