Since the fall of 2014, Bullfrog Bagels has occupied the eastern half of 1341 H Street, NE. The building underwent a remodeling in 2008 and is now undergoing a more extensive upgrade project consisting of a new 5-story addition and 2 new floors above the existing building. The strategy is for the vanilla shell to be completed complete and then an interior-only tenant build-out (TBO) will be done with the restaurant owner as the client. At TBO’s conclusion, Bullfrog will move into the newly renovated west half.
The TBO will provide Bullfrog with two dining areas. The first will be at the front of house with seating for 24. A full-lite storefront system, installed with previous work, will bring in natural light and a view of the street to the front dining area. The storefront system can be opened to extend the dining area out onto the sidewalk. The other dining area will be located at the new second floor rear addition with seating for 34, 12 of which at a new bar. Four, full-lite sliding door systems, installed when the addition is constructed, and arranged along the south and east walls, extend the view of diners towards the alley and to outdoor seating of an adjacent restaurant.
Bullfrog will also have new customer service counters. The new kitchen will be expanded across two floor levels with additional prep space, a commercial exhaust hood over the stove and ovens, and two walk-in coolers, one existing to be relocated and the other new. Storage and a third walk-in cooler will be located on the lower level. TBO will also include installation of new equipment, finishes, upgrades, and tenant specific modifications to the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.
Architecturally and given the long narrow space, several devices were used to connect the front and back. The required ramp connects two first floor levels and lighting above the ramp and along the circulation route also guide users to the back. In the same way, billboard-like wall panels and finishes, and partial height walls help to de-emphasize the space’s tight dimensions.