DRB clears design review for Lenox Avenue restaurant; waivers approved and water feature removal allowed

The Design Review Board on May 15 approved a design review application for 1681 Lenox Avenue — the former Yard House site — allowing a new laser‑cut, powder‑coated aluminum screen wrapping the west and south facades, the relocation of the primary entrance to the south facade, and approval of a pedestrian circulation waiver subject to conditions in the draft final order.

Staff expressed caution about reduced ground‑floor transparency, recommending revisions to maintain visual interest and retain or relocate the existing water feature so the original design intent would not be obscured. "The primary entrance is proposed to be relocated from the northwest corner to the south side where a double tour vestibule will be added," staff said, and warned that the proposed screens could reduce transparency at the ground level and conflict with design criteria requiring transparency along street frontages.

Monica Enten, attorney for the applicant Ultra Supper Club, introduced the proposal and the principals behind the restaurant concept. Designer Alyssa Del Munje and architect Alyssa Cripplin explained that the screen is intended as a sculptural veil of laser‑cut aluminum with apertures and night illumination. "We have created visibility. We have created transparency and interest into what is happening beyond it," Enten said, and designer Alyssa Del Munje added the screen would be laser cut with large apertures that allow views through the veil.

The applicant asked to remove the existing front water feature; staff recommended that if the water feature is removed the lower section of the screen be repositioned to preserve original design elements. The board discussed structural anchoring, material gauge, and hurricane wind loading; applicants said shop drawings and structural engineering will be required and that the final thickness and anchoring details will be worked out in fabrication. "It's gonna be a fully engineered thing," the design team said.

Board members raised concerns about durability and anchoring at the ground level, and requested a condition allowing staff to require a denser lower portion or thicker material if engineering or building code required it. The board also received letters of support from Lincoln Road Business Improvement representatives.

After discussion the board approved the application and the requested waiver, and agreed to remove conditions in the draft order that would have required relocating the water feature and removing upper screens, while adding a condition that final shop drawings and structural plans be consistent with the approved design and subject to staff review; the applicant must return with final art/shop drawings if the engineering requires substantive changes to the screen design.