David Archer gives new life to Print Room

A purpose-built, Art Deco newspaper printing premises in Bournemouth is being transformed into a French brasserie, with interior design by David Archer Architects.

The £1.3m refurbishment will create an 1000m2, 250-cover restaurant called The Print Room, styled as a 1930s Parisian brasserie. The group was appointed to the project following an introduction to the restaurant’s owner Andy Price.

Formerly housing the printing presses of the town’s Daily Echo newspaper, the Grade II-listed building features a 7m tall room, with full-height glazing to the end elevation, according to Archer.

‘It is a remarkable opportunity and semi-industrial space. It would be very difficult to find such a landmark building in a major city. The restaurant design will reflect this Art Deco heritage,’ he says.

A timber-panelled corporate meeting room will be converted into a private dining space and the Daily Echo’s current reception is to become the Scoop Bar, featuring a backlit serving area and chandeliers.

Although the main room will remain as an open volume, areas will be designated through furniture. The bar will have carriage seating, the brasserie will use banquettes and a café zone will feature lighter furniture, says Archer.

Planning permission has been received for work to begin on site this month and the restaurant is scheduled to open in autumn 2007. The Daily Echo’s staff will remain in offices on the premises, although the printing presses have been relocated to an out-of-town site. The redesign of the building includes an overhaul of the newspaper’s first-floor office interiors.

Price is the restaurateur behind Bournemouth’s acclaimed West Beach Café. David Archer Architects is also working on Price’s third venture – a Caribbean hut-style beach bar to be located on the town’s pier approach.