Retail:
La Sandia and Zengo Restaurant
The long overdue, major renovation of Santa Monica Place, which anchors the famous Third Street Promenade, commenced in 2008 and ARC Engineering was brought in by SPF: architects in 2009 to implement the core and shell, kitchen/dining room build-out of internationally recognized chef Richard Sandoval’s Zengo and La Sandia restaurants. The Latin-Asian fusion Zengo (4,800 sq. ft.) and “modern traditional Mexican” La Sandia (10,500 sq. ft.) share a common kitchen, and sit atop Santa Monica Place’s 3rd floor dining, which is entirely dedicated to food experiences. La Sandia commands a striking view down the Third Street Promenade.
As the initial, high profile occupants on the dining deck, ARC, along with the client and property owner, ultimately wanted the Zengo and La Sandia MEP system to set high design standards for future restaurant clients on the 3rd floor. The tight kitchen, configured to provide maximum dining space, offered both challenges and rewards as they coordinated with contractor/owner Macerich. ARC encountered no obstacles while implementing their unobtrusive MEP design, which blends invisibly with the La Sandia’s 16th century Mexico inspired décor and Zengo’s understated, warm interior. The 6-month project was completed towards the end of 2009.