In the News

Boston—June 15, 2006—Shawmut Design and Construction’s Restaurant Group recently completed the construction of Avila – Steve DiFillippo’s modern Mediterranean restaurant located near Boston Common in the Back Bay neighborhood. Shawmut was tapped for its restaurant expertise and ability to complete projects under difficult circumstances.

The 9,000 square-foot restaurant spans three levels and includes a main dining room, four private dining rooms, a two-sided bar built in the shape of a boat, and a two-level open kitchen. The interior features 17-foot high ceilings, custom light fixtures, cherry wood flooring and high-end finishes. Shawmut’s Restaurant Group is nationally recognized for building some of the country’s most renowned fine-dining restaurants including Nobu 57, Country, Masa & Bar Masa, and per se.

Throughout construction, the location presented the project team with numerous challenges. The space was originally created for retail use and required extensive renovations to accommodate a restaurant of Avila’s scope, including the installation of an 18-foot long, 8,000-pound pollution-control unit. The building’s re-enforced concrete structure created its own set of challenges inhibiting the installation of necessary mechanical units and requiring careful planning and creative fittings. Despite these hurdles and limited work hours posed by the surrounding residential area, Shawmut was able to meet an aggressive deadline and successfully deliver owner Steve DiFillippo with a stunning fine dining restaurant.

Locally, Shawmut’s Restaurant Group has built many of Boston’s most well known restaurants including Legal Sea Foods, Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Boston’s Old City Hall, Davio’s, Grill 23 & Bar and many more. Specializing in the construction of fine dining, themed, and national concept restaurants from coast-to-coast, Shawmut’s impressive client list also includes The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Kona Grill, Yard House, Houston’s, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Jasper White’s Summer Shack and more.