Commercial Architecture – April 2019

COMMERCIALARCHITECTUREMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2019 45

“

I

would admit I am somewhat obsessed with design,” said Doug Hamm, founder of

Black Swan Hospitality, Los Angeles, and owner of San Diego’s newest beer hall,

Nolita Hall, located in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood.

Pursuing his passion for ambience, Hamm’s first owned-and-operated bar and restaurant

presents the atmosphere of a European beer hall with Italian design flourishes, elevated

cocktails, and a select menu of gourmet pizzas and salads.

According to co-collaborator David Michael, principal at San Diego design firm Tecture

Inc., “We strove to go beyond the notion of a traditional bar, and build a place where people

can have their own experiences. We like to blur lines, and that’s how we approached the

design of Nolita Hall—which has evolved into an esteemed eatery where people come to play

Blurring the lines between interior and exterior, Nolita

Hall fuses modern fare and retro technology.

Beer Hall Engages

The Senses

PROJECT | interiors

Above. A 10-ft. x 60-ft. skylight is a show-stopping feature of Nolita Hall, giving guests an experience that
they can’t get elsewhere.

Below. Nolita Hall lies under a flight path into San Diego International Airport. When a plane flies over, a
split-flap display shows the flight origin and number in real time on the retro-inspired display.