Veronica People’s Club / Fabrica 718

Architects: Fabrica 718
Location: Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA
Architect of Record: Melissa Cicetti, AIA
Project Team (Fabrica718): Julie Torres Moskovitz (principal), Minyoung Song, Kim Letven, Michael Brehmer, Michael Vanreusel, Omar Toro-Vaca, Natalya Egon, Viviana Wang, and Corey Yurkovich.
Structural Engineer: Anastos Engineering
Expediter: Schnall Consulting
Contractor: Dave Ramirez, Metal Fabricator: Daniel Bailey/Hard Decor
Project area: 2,300 sqf
Project year: 2010
Photographs: William Mebane, Sean Hemmerle

Veronica People’s Club is a new bar with outdoor space and a walk-up coffee window at the facade. Fabrica718 collaborated with the artist owner who also has a bar in the East Village, to design the new storefront, interior, and rear yard spaces. Significant structural work was required to repair and modify the existing 1890s building. A new beam and columns with footings through to the cellar allow for a wider interior space. The spaced gained under the public entry stair is used to tuck cantilevered banquet seating that uses skatelite, a bendable and durable material common in skate parks.

A unique atmosphere is established with the use of repurposed industrial materials that reference Brooklyn’s past and the bar has been described as having an open artist studio feel. Custom lighting includes a “V” made up of fluorescent housing and powder-coated which provides a beacon and serves as the bar’s signage. Repurposed 1950s school desks for the bartop and custom light fixtures from the school desk metal legs is the primary lighting in the bar. The sculptural pendant over the bar incorporates the recycled metal and is the only ceiling hung fixture in the space. At the rear yard, the exterior space features a bridge, sheltered seating, and digital projection.