When the time came to evolve from the original concept in Spring of 1996, Melrose underwent another major overhaul in the dining room and on the main patio. A projected one-month project took four months to finish, as the dining room was completely gutted and architectural problems dictated the excavation of an entirely new basement.
Team members had to travel from the kitchen to the lounge on planks that were placed over a large gaping hole and this period of Melrose’s evolution was characterized by dust, vandals and noise.
When the dust settled, the only original surface that remained in the area was the enormous skylight overhead.
The resulting space was an architectural feat of sophistication with tindlestone arches salvaged from a downtown historical site, Art Deco wrought iron fixtures and sculptures, granite countertops, high tech cable lighting and natural wood tabletops.
