Frankie

Galataport, a vital pedestrian-only coastline on the Bosphorus with bustling street life through a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, has now become the famous club-restaurant Frankie’s new home. Situated across the Historic Peninsula in the heart of Istanbul, the trendy new space will take its guest on an unannounced, sophisticated entertainment journey starting from rush hours till late midnight every day of the week. The design of Frankie started by welcoming its guest with a strikingly all-red lobby. Standing in the center of the red cube-shaped space is a Fenix sculpture by Seda Gazioglu, which is among many of GEO_ID’s hybrid collaborations with a wide array of local artists plus skilled artisans to achieve highly customized outcomes. A glimpse of what is to come, the studio played with lights revealing the identity of an enticing atmosphere where delicious ambiance and performative club hours merge into each other. Entering the restaurant, the colors blend into a dark brown and black palette until they reach the Bosphorus view, elevating the experience. The two-story restaurant space is planned in three themes; the one-stop bar, the tables, and the outdoor upper terrace. Spatial qualities had definitive roles in design; the L-shaped plan scheme gave direction to the spatial organization centering the bar connecting two table sitting wings, while the expansive outdoor terrace’s design upstairs focused on benefiting the enviable views of the Bosphorus, Historic Peninsula, and the cruises. The heart of the space is occupied by a series of high counters making up a dynamic bar area from where the drinks are prepared, the diners can sit, and the DJ performs. The experimental bar in black marble and the atmosphere it creates evolve as the energy rises and the tempo picks up - from a chillax happy hour space to a lively party venue throughout the night. Extending its purpose via accommodating both the performers (barmen, DJs, vocals, etc.) and the guests, the sense of theater creates a sensory journey heightened by music. The flexible design allows the corner space to host either a large dining table or a stage, according to Frankie’s evening program. GEO_ID has introduced various accents and details throughout the interior. The brown lacquered wood panels have wooden laths in slightly different colors creating a relief-like surface and adding depth to the walls and ceilings. Artworks by Marianne Maric settle between laths and are framed with lighting fixtures creating multiple layers. Sculptural pendants changing in size and height are used as a unifying design element to have a seamless transition between the bar and table seating spaces. Low tables and lounge seatings contribute to the character of the restaurant’s facing an elegant, illuminating wine cellar. The high and low table layout segmenting the bar continues on the upper terrace level, with lighter colors and materials radiating a summer sensation. The seatings upholstered in shades of dark green match the biophilic accents of the terrace design.