The Royce Detroit Reveals Renderings, Design Details on Forthcoming Downtown Wine Bar

The Royce Detroit has been busy since January when owners Angela Rutherford and Ping Ho announced their plans to move into the ground floor of The Kale's Building. Rough framing inside the space is complete with plumbing and electrical expected to get underway in the next few weeks and new signage is now hanging on the building. Rutherford also reveals new renderings that give a rough idea of what wine lover's can expect from the new bar and retail space.

The 2,000-square-foot venue includes a 12-seat bar surrounded by shelves with retail bottles. An additional seating area with sofa and chairs — enough for around 28 more customers — will be available in The Royce's mezzanine lounge. "For us it was very challenging designing a space that's both a bar and retail," Rutherford says. The mezzanine is designed to prevent bottleneck, giving customers at the bar additional space to spread out, while retail shoppers explore the shelves.

The Royce Detroit's wine shop will supply around 300-different bottles of wine. [Images: BWArchitects]

The look and feel of the space reflects both deco and industrial sides of Detroit's past, Rutherford adds. "We want it to look like everything has been there since the turn of the century." Brick columns will be whitewashed to match with trim and contrasted with a slate gray paint on the walls. The custom shelves in the shop are made from walnut wood and piping. Globe fixtures and brass touches are found throughout. The Royce will also showcase custom meat and cheese boards and tables by Kyle Huntoon of Hunt & Noyer and ceramics by Steven Johnson of Detroit Dirt Rock.

In terms of the wine selection, Rutherford and Ho are focusing on "good quality wine and wine that's made with integrity" from "all major wine regions." The shop's emphasis is on affordability with bottles under $25. "Our selection is going to be very inclusive. We consider wine to be an everyday essential," she says. Still, the offerings will be something more boutique than your standard Barefoot from Meijer. Many of the bottles are from small batch purveyors or one's using sustainable and biodynamic practices. The Royce Detroit is on target to debut by mid-to-late June. Take a peek at the renderings below.

[Image: BWArchitects]