Modern Food Hall Transformation

Federal Galley, a food hall anchoring Nova Plaza, is home to undiscovered Chefs exploring their art and is the newest innovative dining experience in Pittsburgh. The food hall features individual kitchens with several unique offerings which is perfect for start-up restaurateurs to showcase their style and cuisine.

"We have transformed a building that was enclosed, brutal, and block-like into

something very permeable. The food hall format provides new restaurateurs a

place to get their start."

Loren Wright, Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office of POH Architects

POH Architects' creativity transformed the former stand-alone bank into an energetic dining destination. The design excitement of the inside spills out into the plaza with expansive glass and garage doors allowing seasonal access to outdoor dining. The existing structure was retained and exposed to promote an environment of interaction supporting the goal of a classic food hall.

The dark brick was white washed as a refreshing change complemented by custom-designed tables using local reclaimed wood planks. Along with the reclaimed wood, oversized black chains and the eye-catching Edison style string lights brand the interior while the beauty of the simplified and reflective facade showcases the liveliness within. The bank vault was redefined by cutting through 12" thick concrete walls to create openings to allow an element that was once a barrier, both visually and in placement, to become a central point of gathering when converted into a full service bar.

POH Architects developed the signage to complement the design, reflective of other iconic destination food facilities, and obtained necessary variances for illumination to capture that same flair at night time.