Sewickley Tavern
Housed in a traditional brick building on the main street of a quaint river town, Sewickley Tavern honors its heritage while looking forward to a new era. To achieve this, Studio St. Germain conceived a historic tavern with a modern twist: capturing the warmth of a traditional establishment within a high-performing building that would appeal to contemporary tastes.
The interior was inspired by the idea of a quintessential colonial American tavern, a welcoming haven for both travelers and locals. Familiar, authentic materials such as red brick and dark wood casework and paneling frame a space topped by a perforated tin ceiling. The navy and brass color palette echoes the Sewickley Tavern logo and reinforces the visual brand identity, which begins with the storefront and carries through to the blue damask wall coverings and tile floor. Antique brass and wood bar shelving and classic pendant lighting provide warmth and glow. Brass accents appear on custom mirrors, on picture frames, purse and coat hooks, and door hardware.
The newly landscaped patio has a modern style that incorporates traditional materials: a natural stone fireplace and teak furniture complement the steel and cedar framing of the outdoor bar.
Throughout the restaurant, curated artwork commissioned from local artists draws inspiration from the rich history of Sewickley, whose forgotten days of riverboats and the Roaring ’20s are revived with authenticity and regional flavor in illustrations and paintings. Learn more about the artwork.
With a progressive owner concerned about sustainability, the Sewickley Tavern, one of our High Performance Program projects, was designed to reach goals of energy conservation, improved indoor air quality, and optimized health and comfort for restaurant guests and staff. Materials and systems were selected for maximum environmental impact while working within the project budget and design aesthetic. The result is a high-performance building that has achieved the distinction of being the first RESET-certified restaurant in the world. Learn more about the restaurant’s sustainability features.
