Grand Brasseire, Grand Central Terminal

Project Overview

Nestled in the historic Vanderbilt Hall of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Brasserie is a stunning display of how thoughtful lighting can harmonize architectural legacy and modern flair. Conceived by Reveal Design Group, this project bridges the hall’s majestic scale with an intimate, contemporary dining ambiance.

Design Intent & Objectives

Celebrate Heritage, Elevate Ambiance: the lighting scheme draws cues from the terminal's Art Deco motifs, paying careful homage to its architectural elegance while cultivating a warm, inviting feel.

Scale with Comfort: Vanderbilt Hall’s expansive ceiling and open layout posed the challenge of creating a cozy dining environment that still honored the building’s grandeur

LED Lighting Highlights

Back Bar Glow: Vertical installations of MICRO5 ATOM LED fixtures cast a soft, diffused glow behind the bar, spotlighting the bottles and serving as a sophisticated visual anchor in the grand space.

Liquor Riser Accent:  LALO LED extrusions, customized to be wet-rated and set at a warm 2400K, adds both functional illumination and a refined design detail within the bar structure.

Patron-Level Soft Lighting: Concealed LED tape, shrouded by shielding, runs along the bar’s edge to provide gentle, glare-free lighting at eye level, enhancing guest comfort and aesthetic subtlety.

Signature Installation: The “Green Room” Bottle Wall

A highlight of the design is the dramatic bottle wall in the “Green Room.” Expertly backlit to accentuate glass reflections, this feature becomes a mesmerizing focal point, its textures and tones shifting throughout the day depending on the light and viewing angle.

Atmosphere & Guest Experience

Despite the hall’s vastness, the lighting strategy manages to cultivate intimacy. Layered, localized illumination zones guide guests visually and emotionally through the space making the Grand Brasserie both grand and personal.

Why It Works