Case Study — The Bankroll Club

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Services: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing

CHALLENGE

The Bankroll Club, located at the site of the former Boyd Theater in Philadelphia, is a one-of-a-kind restaurant project that required extensive MEP engineering design. Dialectic Engineering was selected to partner with Philadelphia-based JKRP Architects, who wanted to work with an engineering firm with good knowledge of restaurant design. 

The 400-seat, 100-table venue concept with five areas of sports and dining entertainment includes private club rooms, three separate bars, large dining spaces, and a full-service kitchen. Significant upgrades were made to the multi-story historic building while preserving its Art Deco character. 

Following a positive working relationship after working on high-end restaurant projects like The Capital Grille, JKRP said the decision to partner with Dialectic for MEP work was an easy decision. The Bankroll project required a high level of communication with the architect to ensure all parties were on the same page regarding necessary information and coordination between design drawings. 

The historic building has multiple floors and unique space constraints, mostly on ceiling height and elements, to be incorporated into the final design. Coordination of equipment, power, and lighting was a high bar, as all utilities were located on the interior of the building, along with grease traps. 

Utilities in the Boyd Theater building were a challenge, not only due to where they were located but also because the building itself is old and has been remodeled a number of times. 

SOLUTION

Through value engineering, Dialectic removed design elements and coordinated with updated layouts, ultimately saving the owner on construction costs. Prior to design and construction, Dialectic performed an existing condition survey on the building, identifying critical areas to be considered during design development, and avoiding as many unforeseen complications as feasible. 

When working with the contractor during demolition, the chance for surprises was heightened, as faulty, crumbling, or outdated utilities were uncovered. Multiple revisions had to be made to the original design in order to remedy what was behind the walls and underneath the floors. 

A new interior grease waste system was designed for the building with engineers working around the unique utility locations. Dialectic also leveraged Revit software to better coordinate efforts between architects, engineers, and contractors. 

RESULTS

Dialectic Engineering has been a trusted partner of JKRP Architects for more than two decades. Our experts in MEP engineering design and execution for upscale restaurants, including the challenges that may present themselves when converting unique spaces, have proven to be an asset on projects like Bankroll Club.

“Dialectic was attentive throughout the project and eager to work with us to achieve the design intent we desired." -Dan Vallacchi, Project Coordinator, JKRP Architects

JKRP partners with Dialectic on a number of projects, including restaurant projects for Darden.

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