The Pool, New York, USA

Breathing new life into a revered icon is no mean feat, but Major Food Group has done just that with its restoration of the Pool Room at the former Four Seasons Restaurant.

Now simply called The Pool, the refurbished lounge and restaurant is newly adorned with iridescent blue shades, evoking a mood inspired by the ocean, while still embracing the legendary Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson-designed architectural features that made the space such a treasure.

Overseen by Annabelle Selldorf, The Pool’s restoration has touched almost every aspect of its original 1959 interior. From the glass walls, steel beams and recessed light fixtures to Marie Nichol’s original chain curtains, which have been cleaned and repaired, and a completely overhauled kitchen that services both The Grill and The Pool, no detail has been overlooked.

The restaurant’s interior, which was guided by designer William T Georgis, also features Knoll ‘Brno‘ chairs, originally created by Johnson and reproduced for The Pool in mohair and leather, new Edward Fields’ carpets (the company produced the original floorcoverings) and new lighting by Hervé Descottes of L’Observatoire. The space is capped off by original art pieces by Joan Miro, Alexander Calder and Cy Twobly from 1958 – the year the Seagram building was constructed.

In such a setting, diners can enjoy a simple, yet exquisite seafood-inflected menu focused on conviviality. The Pool Lounge, the restaurant’s former private dining space, has also been reincarnated as a separate cocktail lounge. Resplendent with a glimmering mother-of-pearl bar and onyx and nickel cocktail tables, it comes armed with a inventive menu of fruity cocktails and equally tempting bar snacks.