Anixi is a vegan Mediterranean restaurant located in the heart of Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood, owned by City Roots Hospitality — one of New York City's leading vegan restaurant groups. For this project, Studio RB was tasked with designing a space that would honour the existing architectural elements of a remarkable historic building while elevating the concept of a Mediterranean vegan restaurant to a new level.
Working With What Was Already There
The existing space was remarkable in itself. Cast iron gates, original wood floors, marble walls, faux columns, and oversized mirrors — a layered palimpsest of New York history. The challenge for Studio RB was not to impose a new vision over all of this, but to incorporate these elements and use them as the foundation for something new.
In collaboration with City Roots, Studio RB restored and cleaned the existing iron gates, and provided new lighting to highlight the entry doors and storefront. A large flag hung above the entry announces the restaurant to pedestrians on the street. New entry signage and a menu board carried the Anixi colour scheme through to the facade.
The Bar and the Wine Closet
The main feature of the front-of-house is the bar. Studio RB clad the bar counter front with black and white marble tiles by Nemo — a midcentury pattern that echoes the traditional mosaics of the Mediterranean region. Behind the bar, new glass shelving and brass brackets complement the existing brick wall. New burgundy chairs work in harmony with the existing brass sculptures and architectural details throughout the space.
Adjacent to the bar was a space that had formerly housed an elevator shaft. Rather than treat it as dead space, Studio RB converted the brick-walled opening into a beautiful wine closet, displaying the finest wines offered by Anixi. Brass brackets and a chandelier contrast against the exposed brick, while an existing wood-and-glass door completes the composition.
The Grand Dining Hall
Studio RB cleaned and restored the brass double-door frame leading to the grand dining hall. The existing ornaments and sculptures on the rich wood-panelled walls create a sense of arrival — of walking into somewhere truly special.
In the hall itself, the existing marble arches frame new seating areas for smaller groups. In the centre of the space, a series of semi-circular banquettes provide seating for larger parties while defining the circulation around the room. A floating ceiling element above the banquettes balances the space and improves the symmetry of the hall.
Full-height curtains in a rich green fabric run along the side walls, complementing the existing marble and improving the acoustics of the space. The colour contributes to the upscale feel and works in dialogue with the existing palette of the marbled walls.
At the back of the hall, a large fireplace anchors the space. Above it, an oversized mirror carries an abstract painting by Lia, a New York-based artist whose work is displayed throughout the restaurant.
"The best hospitality projects don't erase the history of a space — they enter into conversation with it."
The Lower Level
The lower level houses the washrooms, wine cabinets, kitchen, and storage. The communal wash area is wrapped in a wallcovering with an oversized botanical pattern, finished with gold ceramic tile — a moment of surprise and luxury below the street.
The luxurious and colourful design of Anixi complements and enhances the dining experience in this Chelsea restaurant. Studio RB is grateful for having had the opportunity to work on this project — the team loved every step of the process, and the result remains one of the most layered and distinctive spaces we have designed.