Palace Restaurant

The spearhead of Finnishgastronomy, restaurant Palace was first opened in 1952in tandem with Hotel Palace. Designed by Finnisharchitects Viljo Revell and Keijo Petäjä, the modernistbuilding, often described as the business card of theFinnish art industry, took the shape of a big oceanship. The modernist building has undergone a totalrenovation, including a remodelling of restaurantPalace’s interiors. The restaurant with its impressivefestive spaces on the building’s 10th floor has beengifted a new identity built to honour the restaurant’sroots. When restaurant Palace approached us, theydidn’t ask for a modern and trendy interior. On thecontrary, they asked for something that will withstandtime and honour the history and tradition of Palace. The complexity of thischallenge, as well as the ambition of everyone involvedopened up our ability to think about the details, frommaterial choices, the iconic teak veneered elevators andwalls to the customer experience. During theconstruction of palace, Note Design Studio workedclosely with SARC Architects and Skanska and had longconversations with the client, discussing everythingfrom colour choices to custom-made trolleys. Thedialogue continued with the chefs, who talked about thetone of voice of the table setting. At Palace,every detail has been carefully thought of, not only inthe interior design, but also in the collaboration withAgency Leroy on the graphic elements, to ensure that thepalette was elegant and sophisticated, yet warm andwelcoming. Weimagined, not what Palace could be, but what it shouldbe. For us, the space should not only convey a sense andrespect for tradition, and highlight the localatmosphere, but also be expressive on its own. “Having spent most of mylife in Helsinki, working with Palace has been ahumbling experience. We were given a chance toinfluence the interior of a space I have known sinceI was a child. I remember my grandfather speakingabout Palace and its grandeur. Being given thechange to create the new Palace is far beyond what Iever imagined”