Miller Converts Industrial Space to Trendy Tapas Restaurant
Craftsmanship is front and center at One Door East, the new global tapas restaurant with a contemporary interior recently completed by Miller Construction Company.
For chef-owner Giovanni Rocchio, the general contractor’s Special Projects Group transformed a former auto repair facility into the stylish 4,300-square-foot tapas restaurant, where ample use of reclaimed wood brings the interior’s sleek metal and tile finishes a warm, rustic feel.
One Door East adjoins Rocchio’s popular, upscale Valentino’s Cucina Italiana fine dining restaurant, which remained open throughout construction of the One Door East space. “Our crews stayed as ‘invisible’ as possible, installing a temporary barrier to avoid impacting Valentino’s operations,” said Ernesto Escobar, Miller director of special projects.
Since both restaurants would be under one roof, adding a full fire sprinkler system was required. That meant ensuring pipes were concealed and closely coordinating work in the Valentino’s space, based on the restaurant’s schedule.
Just as One Door East’s creative small- and large-plate menu offerings and innovative cocktails are drawing culinary praise, the restaurant’s striking interior is winning attention. Earlier this month, a craftsman on Miller’s project team, Kevin Guilotte of Cayman National Manufacturing & Installation, Inc., received the Construction Association of South Florida’s 2016 Craftsmanship Award in the Architectural Woodwork category. Architectural Alliance of Fort Lauderdale designed the restaurant, and engineer was Yahya Consultants, Inc. of Coral Springs.
Miller Construction Company’s Special Projects Group focuses on South Florida projects valued at under $2 million in the commercial, retail, automotive, hospitality and healthcare sectors. Founded in 1973, Miller Construction Company is a prominent South Florida design/builder and construction services firm serving industrial, retail, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, educational and multi-family markets.