The Crocodile

The Crocodile, a renowned music venue in downtown Seattle, recently underwent a significant transformation as it relocated to a new space. The project involved meticulous planning and coordination with the venue's management, including walkthroughs with the bar manager. They provided rough sketches and detailed requirements for the ideal bar and kitchen layout, specifying both existing equipment and additional needs.

The redesign of The Crocodile was complex, involving the division of the venue into multiple functional areas to accommodate diverse activities within the building. The new layout includes two kitchen spaces, five bars, a theater, two stages, and designated areas for both general admission and minors. Additional spaces were creatively integrated, such as dancing areas, merchandise sales, various seating arrangements, and exclusive lounges for patrons and visiting band members. The building also houses a hotel, classified as residential space, and essential utility areas like storage and mechanical rooms.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was ensuring compliance with health and liquor regulations, which necessitated strategic placement of facilities like sinks. Moreover, the significant increase in occupancy from the original tenant demanded extensive structural and fire code upgrades, including the installation of a new sprinkler system throughout the building, which had previously lacked such modern safety features.

Throughout the renovation, continuous collaboration with The Crocodile's team was essential. Our team frequently relied on the venue's staff for additional measurements and photographs to overcome the challenges of not being able to measure the entire space themselves due to COVID-19 restrictions during the process. The outcome of this highly collaborative effort is a visually striking and highly functional venue that respects its iconic status while enhancing its infrastructure to meet contemporary standards and user needs.