El Malo

While employed at Square Feet Studio, Holden and Emily led the design team for El Malo, a high-end rum bar in the historic Atlanta Dairies building in the Reynoldstown neighborhood of Atlanta. The dark and moody bar is a theater of suspense and procession. Entering off the lively Atlanta Dairies courtyard, visitors proceed into a dark, textured portal to be led down a long corridor illuminated with minimal red lighting. After turning the end of the corridor, guests emerge into the main bar area, accented with towering, illuminated columns. A variety of lush seating flanks the edges of the bar, and a tiled and gold-leaf-clad DJ both anchors the open dance floor. A private VIP space and “green room” lounge provide more intimate gathering spaces. The entire bar is illuminated with color-changing lighting to reflect the mood of the music, guests, and menu.

Location: Atlanta Dairies, Atlanta, GA

Architects: Square Feet Studio

  • Project Leads: Emily Wirt, Project Manager; Holden Spaht, Creative Director

  • Project Team: Manuela Wittling, Project Designer

Interior Design Director: Brandon Collins

Client: Omar Ferrer and Gabe Bowen

Consultants: Proficient Engineering (MEP), Edward Don (Kitchen), ALKMY (Millwork and Column Fabrication)

Contractor: Fox Building Company

Construction Manager: Chandler Bovitz, Bridger Properties

Photography: Andrew Thomas Lee

Cinematographer: Adam Forrester