American Historic Bank Building Takes On Japanese Flavor

PHILADELPHIA—R.D. Olson Construction has spent the past several months renovating a historic 1800s bank in Philadelphia, transforming it into an upscale Japanese restaurant. The Haru Restaurant is part of the Benihana International chain that has garnered widespread popularity in the past few decades.

In renovating and expanding the building, the Irvine, Calif.-based construction firm retained much of the bank’s original structural and design elements, preserving its historic past. The building’s arched windows are bordered by the bank’s original detailed white molding. And its 1980’s bowed high ceiling enriched with intricately designed platforms that now are used to house upward flare lighting also has been preserved. The focal point of the first floor is its centrally located teal wood stairway that also is a remainder of the initial 1880 structure.

The 6,000-square-foot restaurant is located in the prominent Old City section of town at 241 and 243 Chestnut St. Approximately 3,000 square feet is new construction. The 2,200-square-foot first floor houses a large sushi bar area and drinking bar that together, are designed to seat 107 customers. It also includes a new kitchen, which includes all the latest and greatest amenities a sushi chef could need. The mezzanine level, decked with two plasma screen televisions also is primarily a lounge and bar with seating for 59 guests.

Within the walls of this historic building are many of the day’s most modern design elements. The construction company installed walnut flooring throughout. The bars and wall paneling are made of teal millwork, giving each room a rich setting. Each bar area has a glass background and glass shelving for bottle displays. R.D. Olson also installed new lighting, air and heating systems.
Seiler + Drury Architects, based in Norristown, Pennsylvania, designed the Haru Restaurant. It is expected to be completed in late June at a project cost of $2.3 million.

Robert Olson founded R.D. Olson Construction in 1979. It has since grown into one of the largest general contracting companies in Orange County. It specializes in building hotels, restaurants and country clubs.

The company has built establishments for such clients as Benihana, Morton’s Restaurant Group, Houston’s Restaurant, Ra Sushi, and Lawry’s. Current projects include Union Station Village at Los Angeles Union Station; University Village Towers, Riverside; and a $50 million addition and renovation of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort, Ojai.