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

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Chef Ford Fry, who plans to open a newrestaurant in January in the former Nava space at One Buckhead Plaza, askedthis month that the Development Review Committee for Special Public Interest-9 inBuckhead look at planned modifications to the outdoor dining spaces and façade ofthe building.

Actually, Ford Frey didn’t attend the meetingat all, Daniel Van Loh attended representing the parent company, RocketfarmRestaurants. 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 thePeachtree Road Farmers Market months ago, BuckheadView reported that the chef,who is on a roll starting up new restaurants with different concepts, plannedto open a more formal, early American motif restaurant in the former Nava spaceafter extensive renovations, including adding open hearth cooking ovens.
The outdoor dining space is located betweenthe building and existing large planter/former fountain and exterior façade ofthe building and thus fronts on Peachtree Road at the intersection with WestPaces Ferry Road. The yet, unnamed restaurant will be directly across Peachtreefrom Buckhead Atlanta.

Chef Ford Fry

The scope of the work outlined to the SPI-9DRC involved new exterior awnings, windows, outdoor dining and planters,decking and façade finishes. It was thought variations might be required forthe planned work.
After review by the committee, however, it wasdetermined that no variations are necessary therefore the committee has noformal recommendations.
However, the Rocketfarm Restaurantsrepresentative was advised to contact the Buckhead Community ImprovementDistrict regarding potential changes to the intersection of West Paces,Peachtree and Roswell Roads—particularly particularly the potential tighteningof the turn radius from West Paces onto Peachtree—due to the reconstruction ofthe outdoor dining area.
After contacting Melissa Libby, the publicrelations person working with Ford Fry and his company, regarding renderings ofthe renovation work and whether or not a name has been selected yet for therestaurant, BuckheadView was told, “We still have no sketches nor a name. I hope tohave that within two weeks.”
BuckheadView does have access to the black and white sketches that werepresented 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.