- Location : St Helier, Jersey
- Date : 2022
- Client : Colmar
- Project Status : Complete
A new and exciting restaurant has opened in King Street, St. Helier. Colmar Brassiere is the brainchild of local Jersey businessman David Voisin and aims to create an authentic Parisian brasserie in the heart of St. Helier. Previously a well-known shoe shop since 1842, the listed grade-4 building had been vacant since 2019. Axis Mason interior team were tasked to realise the dream and got to work creating an inspirational design which could have been drawn from the cobbled streets of Mont Marte.
Internally, the open layout takes advantage of the glazed shopfronts which spill out onto lively al fresco areas on both Broad Street and King Street. New full-width traditional timber French doors were installed on the King Street elevation and when opened, will merge the internal dining and al fresco areas. A majestic zinc-clad bar and open finishing kitchen add animation and energy to the ground floor dining area. Back-of house areas such as WCs and the main Kitchen were located up on the first floor to maximise seating areas downstairs which are a combination of booth, loose and banquette seating.
Interior bespoke fixtures and fittings drew extensively on local craftsman who worked tirelessly using traditional materials such as timber, metal panels and leather. Fixtures and artwork were painstakingly sourced from France to give the restaurant an authentic Parisian atmosphere. Bold colours to define the restaurant and bar also relate to the history of the building.
Throughout the project, our client was always conscious of accessibility and every effort has been made to introduce new accessible facilities and level surfaces. Contrasting materials and fixtures have been used throughout the restaurant to aid those with visual impairments, as well as a hearing loop installed at the bar.