Opened with new prestige in June, Hutchesons’ Hall has become Hutchesons restaurant and brasserie; a brand new dining venue situated inside the A listed building in Glasgow.
The 200 year old venue – which has undergone a £1.4 million transformation, is the second restaurant venue for independent restaurateur and vice chairman of the Glasgow Restaurant Association James Rusk. James previous restaurant venture is the ever successful west end steak house The Butchershop Bar and Grill.
His latest venture, Hutchesons, is set over three beautifully restored floors, creating a Grand Hall Brasserie, a classic café-bar at street level and an exclusive private dining room on the third floor. The venue will serve the very best of Scottish food and drink, for customers to enjoy in the classic splendour of Glasgow’s architectural history.
Speaking to Premier Hospitality, restaurateur and owner of Hutchesons, James Rusk Director said:
“Hutchesons is open for breakfast every day from 9am serving classic egg dishes like Eggs Benedict, to freshly baked croissants, a range of loose leaf teas or simply just coffee. We then serve a light lunch of sandwiches, salads or heartier dished like steak frites, with our bar serving up cocktails, wines and champagnes until midnight.
“Upstairs, our brasserie restaurant is open from midday serving our a la carte steak and seafood as well as our set lunch menu. Additionally, Monday though to Saturday, the Grand Hall Brasserie serves afternoon tea between 12 and 4pm.”
The venue, built in the early 1800’s and designed by one of Glasgow’s great architects David Hamilton is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The transformation took two years to complete, turning the empty space into a unique standalone dining destination.
James Rusk added:
“It was important for us to make the building fit for purpose, whilst ensuring that the legacy remains in tact. When we started this project two years ago, our aim was to create an incredible backdrop for generations to enjoy Hutchesons culture and heritage in a relaxed social setting. Opportunities like this are really rare and it’s a great privilege to be opening the doors to Glasgow after this massive sympathetic transformation, creating a place where Glaswegians can be proud of in this amazing city.”
Restoration was commissioned by a specialised conservation team from the National Trust to restore the charming features including the decorative wooden panelling, mosaic floors, intricate cornicing in the café-bar, two majestic fireplaces, ornate wall banners and the ornamental ceilings in the Grand Hall.
Working with main contractors Hadden Construction Ltd and co-architects The Pollock Hammond Partnership, while specialist designers Transition Interiors carried out carpentry, shop fitting and kitchen design construction. Working closely with James and Louise Rusk, Transition Interiors fashioned their vision, bringing to life their design concept to create a dining space for customers which is lavish, accessible, relaxed and comfortable whilst protecting an important part of Glasgow’s heritage.
Speaking about interior design, Kelvin Murray, manufacturing director and designer of Transition Interiors said:
“Every detail of Hutchesons design and build reflects James and Louise Rusk’s original vision for the building; we’ve had the pleasure of bringing this to life. Working with James and Louise has been a thoroughly personal experience. My role in this project was to design and transform what they visually aspired for the building and turn that into a reality. The hardest challenge for me was ensuring that the large bespoke pieces would not overpower the existing period features while also creating atmosphere and ambience for the diners.”
The design for the redevelopment of the café-bar area was taken from European cafes; with green leather backed booths and dark high backed chairs complementing the original paint colours of Hutchesons’ hall. As you enter the venue, there is an 18 by 14 foot brass gantry and solid mahogany bar with an Arebascato marble top finished with antique glass, complementing the dark brown and white marble floors alongside the original, marble floor.
In the Grand Hall Brasserie, décor pays homage to the building. The ceiling boasts three large chandeliers lighting up the original ceiling roses, ornamental cornicing and detailed ceiling artistry. Floor to ceiling stain glass windows provide the 90 cover restaurant with natural light while a large bar adorns the east facing back wall and showcases the venues extensive list of exclusive wines, craft beers and cocktails.
Pete Selman, Director of Strategic Direction for the National Trust for Scotland said:
“It’s fantastic to see this classic Glasgow landmark busy and bustling once again. Our partnership with James and Louise Rusk had given this stunning piece of built heritage renewed life and purpose, in a project which has been a new approach for our conservation charity. By working with a commercial partner, we have secured a positive future for this historic place, ensuring it is appropriately cared for and conserved and that it can once again be enjoyed by the public. We wish this new venture every success.”
James Rusk finished:
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback; everyone seems to be enjoying the ambience, the food and the music. The project has certainly been a success. The fact that after two years it is now a living, breathing venue is amazing for us. The staff are working, the chefs are cooking and people are visiting all day all seemed to be in the far distance. It really does mean the world to my wife and I to receive such kind words about the transformation. The hard work has paid off.”
For more information on Hutchesons please visit http://www.hutchesonsglasgow.com
https://www.facebook.com/hutchesons Twitter: @hutchesonsGLA Instagram: @hutchesonsGLA
