Copeland's Restaurant Renovation

For its 40th anniversary of the well known Copeland's restaurant, the Owners desired a rebranding and relaunch for the franchise. The dark, outdated interiors no longer served their brand and the challenge was how to bring a timeless New Orleans aesthetic that conveyed their core values of providing fresh, scratch recipes made with local ingredients in a comfortable environment with an upscale sensibility.

The largely interior renovation brings an updated classic approach to the franchise rebranding efforts. Wood board and batten wainscot and custom glazed wood partitions divvy up the dining areas to bring a better sense of scale while allowing for sweeping views of the interior. Long booths were refurbished and reconfigured to provide more intimate settings and new furniture is rearranged for a better dining experience. A semi-private dining area was incorporated at the previous lobby, housed with glazed decorative partitions and curtains. Another flexible private dining area can be fully closed off when reserved while still providing views to the interiors.

New finishes include floating LVT concrete and wood look floors over the existing, a refined custom blend limewash wall finish, and a variety of decorative lighting. The ceilings incorporate repainting of the existing ACT, a new fire rated bead board ceiling, and refinishing existing pressed tin ceiling tiles. The large, ill-lit main dining area features a new artificial LED daylight tunable to outdoor conditions and brings a sense of natural light to the space. At the existing bar, a new radiused quartz countertop and decorative custom tile blend is provided. Custom brass hanging shelves for bottle storage are installed above the bar and to hold plants in the main dining area.

The exterior parapet arches have been removed and new stucco trim has been added as a nod to classical architecture. Wall sconces, bead board soffits, and backlit building mounted signage help redefine the exterior. A new outdoor canopy with decorative cast iron columns and stained wood soffit brings additional outdoor seating to the increased occupant count.

Project Role: Project Manager + Project Architect for all phases

Architect of Record: MADE Design

Project Type: Restaurant

Location: Covington and Houma, Louisiana

Client: Al Copeland's Investments

Completed: Anticipated January 2023

Size: 6,330 sq. ft.

Cost: $800,000

Renderings: Amy Garrett