BACKGROUND

The Country Club of North Carolina was looking to refresh and reinvent its dining spaces to provide exceptional casual dining venues, a vibrant bar area, and enhanced outdoor dining capabilities that would encourage camaraderie and socialization among members. The redesign of these spaces largely reallocated space within the existing footprint of the building and included the addition of a second outdoor dining terrace.


OUR APPROACH

The new casual dining experience begins with the renovated entry sequence, which draws guests in from the front door to a new reception area.

Straight ahead, members walk through a renovated corridor lined with wine lockers that leads to the casual dining space. This new space features two large, curved banquettes in addition to table seating. Overhead, two large skylights help to illuminate the space with natural light—a complement to the exterior wall that is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Alternatively, members can enter a sophisticated cocktail lounge that features banquette seating and a double-sided fireplace with inviting soft seating. Adjacent to this space, a private dining area is enclosed with glass walls, lending to the modernization and sophistication of the design. Through the lounge, members can reach the new bar area, which features a central bottle display, increased seating capacity at the bar, and a community table for gathering with fellow members.

Outside, a permanent shade structure with moveable canvas details covers the existing dining patio. A new (second) dining terrace flanks the bar side, doubling the capacity for available outdoor seating. Between these spaces, a new outdoor lounge area features soft seating, umbrellas, and fire tables.


RESULTS

A variety of seating styles responds to the casual nature of the spaces as well as the spontaneity of how members wish to use them. Each available seating style blends seamlessly with the one adjacent to it, creating a cohesive design with effortless flow that encourages movement throughout the spaces. At the same time, each component has a definitive space belonging to itself, creating desired areas for cocktail style conversation, adult dining, and family dining without the use of physical barriers.

Since opening in early 2021, total food & beverage sales have increased 40% from 2019 (dining spaces were closed the majority of 2020 due to COVID).