Chef Ford Fry’s group gives first glimpse of new look to Nava’s old space with outdoor dining plans

type='html'>Chef Ford Fry, who plans to open a new restaurant in January in the former Nava space at One Buckhead Plaza, asked this month that the Development Review Committee for Special Public Interest-9 in Buckhead look at planned modifications to the outdoor dining spaces and façade of the building.

Actually, Ford Frey didn’t attend the meeting at all, Daniel Van Loh attended representing the parent company, Rocketfarm Restaurants. Fry’s group thought it might need a “special administrative permit” for the planned work.

This is an  architectural drawing of the proposed outdoor dining area for
Ford Fry's new restaurant in Nava's old space that was presented this
month (among a whole package of drawings and floor plans) to the SPI-9
Development Review Committee. To view the whole package of
drawings, go to the bottom of the story for access.

After a brief interview with Ford Fry at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market months ago, BuckheadView reported that the chef, who is on a roll starting up new restaurants with different concepts, planned to open a more formal, early American motif restaurant in the former Nava space after extensive renovations, including adding open hearth cooking ovens.

The outdoor dining space is located between the building and existing large planter/former fountain and exterior façade of the building and thus fronts on Peachtree Road at the intersection with West Paces Ferry Road. The yet, unnamed restaurant will be directly across Peachtree from Buckhead Atlanta.

Chef Ford Fry

The scope of the work outlined to the SPI-9 DRC involved new exterior awnings, windows, outdoor dining and planters, decking and façade finishes. It was thought variations might be required for the planned work.

After review by the committee, however, it was determined that no variations are necessary therefore the committee has no formal recommendations.

However, the Rocketfarm Restaurants representative was advised to contact the Buckhead Community Improvement District regarding potential changes to the intersection of West Paces, Peachtree and Roswell Roads—particularly particularly the potential tightening of the turn radius from West Paces onto Peachtree—due to the reconstruction of the outdoor dining area.

After contacting Melissa Libby, the public relations person working with Ford Fry and his company, regarding renderings of the renovation work and whether or not a name has been selected yet for the restaurant, BuckheadView was told, “We still have no sketches nor a name. I hope to have that within two weeks.”

BuckheadView does have access to the black and white sketches that were presented at the DRC meeting which cover more than just the outdoor patio area. Anyone wishing to look at the full range of sketches can click here.