Bensi Ristorante Italiano

Bensi Ristorante Italiano located at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton, Virginia, is just one of the latest designs added to Meleca Architecture's archive of restaurant projects.
  

Photographs courtesy Steiner + Associates and  Anthony Prater photography

Bensi opened this past Spring in the lifestyle center developed by Steiner + Associates.  The restaurant design theme is Italian Modern - which means modern forms with traditional detailing.

One design challenge was the main window because it let in so much light and defined the space so strongly.

So, the design centered around that window.  Meleca came up with the idea that the large window could be similar to an old train station with barrel vaulting with thermal windows.
 



The 180 seat restaurant is set within a redevelopment of an existing retail center.  The once enclosed mall is now an open-air shopping destination.  It's the only 'town center' development in the region. 

 Steiner is also the developer of Columbus' Easton Town Center.