Manhattan location is one of seven constructed by Shawmut nationwide
NEW YORK, NY - Shawmut recently completed construction of the new Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse flagship located at 40 West 53rd Street in Manhattan. At 16,000 square feet and with seating for more than 400 guests, the new location is one of the largest Fogo de Chãos in the world.
The $16 million project includes a 17-foot-high replica of a Brazilian historical monument, a striking multi-level Escher-esque stairway with glass railings, wooden ribbed proscenium with alabaster lights that wrap across the ceiling and oversized braided leather rope chandelier. The Shawmut team outfitted two bars, including a mezzanine bar that overlooks the restaurant, two kitchens, four private dining rooms and a glass-enclosed wine room that is suspended from the ceiling. One of the most challenging parts of the project was removing a whole floor of the building to open up the look and feel of the restaurant.
“Work on this Fogo de Chão location was particularly challenging,” said Les Hiscoe, Shawmut Design and Construction president. “A lot of coordination was required due to construction of a new hotel next door and the high traffic surrounding the Museum of Modern Art. The team’s hard work allowed us to complete the project on time while delivering the level of service this world-class client expects.”
Shawmut began working on the three level fit-out in February 2013 along with designers Jeffrey Beers International, who designed the upper two floors, and Fogo de Chão designers, who designed the street level. The restaurant specializes in espeto corridor (continuous service), where a team of Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs prepare, cook, and carve tableside 16 different cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork, and guests decide the pace and portions of their dining experience. In addition, Fogo de Chão's mezzanine lounge will offer a separate bar menu, Bar Fogo, that's exclusive to the New York location.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 22 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent November 2013 opening in the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo.