When the iconic Fulton Street building closed its doors in 2004, three experienced restaurateurs, Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider and St. John Frizell, were determined to keep its legacy alive. With a housing designed by SHoP Architects and an ecological interior architecture and design by Wid Chapman Architects, Industry Kitchen was born. This restaurant was inspired by the views of the seaport and industrial environment, and it has become a beacon of classic American cuisine on the East Coast. The restaurant industry in Brooklyn, one of the five boroughs of New York City, has a long and illustrious history.
In 1974, when New York City was facing financial difficulties, the concept of creating a serious restaurant in one of its neglected industrial districts was revolutionary. The team behind Industry Kitchen drew inspiration from iconic spaces from a similar era, as well as other New York restaurants. As a result, they created an atmosphere that pays homage to the past while embracing modernity. Due to limited storage space, staff at Industry Kitchen use a portable fridge located next to the bar to store beer. This fridge is regularly rotated to ensure that fresh ingredients are used on time.
Guests who sit inside and outside Industry Kitchen have a stunning view of the East River and Brooklyn skyline. To fulfill Merchant's request that people traveling on ships sailing the East River or strolling along the waterfront see the restaurant at night, this group of linear lights serves as a beacon that draws attention along the waterfront. In addition to this, an old school pay phone in the main dining room works as an intercom with a second phone upstairs or as a device to play a recording of the oral history of this famous restaurant. This is just one example of how Industry Kitchen has embraced its past while looking towards the future.
