The Addison Steakhouse Opens

Operated by the Addison Restaurant Group, The Addison Steakhouse in Del Ray Beach, Florida has re-opened after a brief 4 day make-over. Yes, I said a 4-day make-over! With the incredible help of RCC Associates, Josh Kimmel (Director of Operations for the Addison Restaurant Group) and the Maverick team - the pre-planned and budget conscious renovation took a tired space and revived this location with new furniture, lighting, wood accents and conceptual touches enhanced by a complete uniform and menu revamp. The Addison Restaurant Group, led by visionary Harold Katz, is also under construction on Milan's Italian Restaurant in Boynton Beach. This project is also being constructed by RCC Associates and was designed by Maverick. Mr. Katz once owned my favorite sports franchise of all time - the 1983 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers!

Attached are a few photos of the completed steakhouse - we are most proud that sales have taken off since this overall concept make-over.

* Please stay posted for another staff addition to the Orlando office!

* The concepts at East Park Village are ready to start design and concepting. The concepts that Maverick will be providing design services include a Lounge, a boutique hotel, a coffee shop, a gelato concept, a Mexican concept, a dinner house concept as well as an outdoor market/community pavilion. We are extremely excited about working with Mr. John Gray, President of Pinnacle - the owner of East Park Village. In addition to Mr. Gray, the conceptual development will be enhanced with the talents of Mr. John Gabrovic, owner of Harmoni Markets as well as several over-seas restaurant concepts, and Mr. Manny Garcia - a long time Orlando restaurant owner and developer. The four of us are planning a whirlwind research trip to Chicago next week.

* The Splitsville concepts continue development with increased intensity. Miami is set to open within 2 months, Dallas and Arlington have now started construction and new opportunities in Virginia, Chicago and San Antonio are now being looked at on the boards in the Maverick office.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning - that is the best they will feel all day." Frank Sinatra

Raymond Schaefer, AIA/NCARB/IIDA

President / Founder

Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC

2 New Maverick Projects Open

We have received photos from our preferred Architectural Photographer, Daniel Newcomb, on our 2 latest projects to open. Hillcrest Autotainment Mall in Huntsville, Texas and The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel/Galerie Restaurant in Celebration, Florida have now opened their doors to positive response from guests.


Hillcrest is a project with Mr. F. Michael Graves of Autotainment Ventures. LLC in Dallas, Texas. Michael and I have collaborated on many projects including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas and Miami Dodge to name a few. Beyond being one of my best friends - Michael is a creative developer that produces work in which the guest is the most important factor - a trend more auto dealerships need to start understanding. Hillcrest is a small town country dealership meant to put the guest at ease with a comfortable, warm interior setting and an exterior that recalls dealerships of the 1950's.

Mona Lisa Suite Hotel/Galerie restaurant spaces were completed recently as well. Our office has visited the restaurant on a few occasions now to enjoy the terrific food - and the environment isn't too bad either. Our goal was to create a contemporary, distinct space yet be warm, comfortable and intimate. Rich materials, custom lighting, wine highlights, pizza ovens at the lobby bar and a dramatic spiral stair rising to the fine dining restaurant above the lobby all required a great attention to detail.

I'll post another blog soon with the Maverick new project listing - there are some great projects - even one that will bring me back to Chicago very often over the next year.

"Second place means you are just the first to lose.", Vince Lombardi

Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA/NCARB/IIDA

President / Founder

Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC