Corten Steel - 1881 Kitchen, Port Chester

“We wanted to have a very rustic feel,” said Jennifer Livne, co-owner with her husband Udi of 1881 Kitchen, a new restaurant in Port Chester, New York. Livne was referring to the couple’s decision to renovate the building, which dates back to 1881, rather than opt to demolish and rebuild. Not only did they want the challenge, they wanted to honor both the town and the building’s unique heritage.

The building, constructed nearly 150 years ago, has been a library, various clothing stores, and even a speakeasy before becoming the restaurant it is today. Reopened this summer after a complete renovation, it is now home to a sought-after restaurant led by renowned French chef Frank Azulay, offering inspired Mediterranean cuisine.

Once they decided to preserve and renovate the original building, they began their search for contractors to help bring their vision to life, and reached out to Bronze Connection for windows and doors. Upon seeing our corten steel windows, they instantly knew these were perfect for their project. Jennifer admired the metal’s rusty, aged look, describing it as “warm, very old, but modern.” They would, she knew, perfectly complement the building’s character.

Why Corten Steel Felt Right

The original storefront windows were small, allowing very little natural light into the long, narrow building. The solid wood door, which featured very little glass, also blocked light, contributing to an uninviting appearance. The owners felt the existing windows wouldn’t showcase the cozy interior they wanted to create.

Understanding their concerns, we proposed large, slim-profile steel windows to maximize natural light. We also designed solid oak doors with plenty of glass to further brighten the space. White oak was chosen, stained to complement the corten steel windows, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Corten steel is remarkable for forming a layer of rust that protects against corrosion, ensuring long-lasting durability and structural integrity. This protective layer forms faster when treated with a special solution that accelerates the oxidation process. The evolving façade changes with exposure to weather, adding unique character and depth to its surroundings.

Fixtures and Finishing Touches

It was for these reasons that Jennifer and Udi were excited to choose corten steel. “We wanted to have a rustic feel,” Jennifer explained. Also, by using the pre-existing building, the couple had an interesting foundation to work with. Udi, whose background is in real estate and property management, saw in the building the potential to create a modern restaurant that retained the warmth, charm, and feel of an older era.

To create this atmosphere, the pair didn’t stop with corten windows. Inside, inspired by the windows, they designed a drop ceiling with steel paneling, which they impressively treated themselves to resemble the corten steel windows. They sourced antiques and repurposed items to complement their vision, designing custom pieces for anything they couldn’t find. A New York blacksmith crafted the restaurant’s many metal fixtures, adding a unique touch to the interior. In the kitchen, they installed a stunning copper-topped French oven and built a German meat-ager using repurposed Belgian black stone. Custom blocks of Himalayan salt were embedded into the meat ager.

The finished product speaks for itself. Stunning corten steel windows with clean, precise lines, offering an arresting view into the restaurant’s uniquely interesting interior.
To explore more about corten steel you can visit our partner “OpenAWD“.

If you have a project in mind, or would simply like to know more about our range of windows and doors, please feel free to give us a call today at 718-550-3442 for a free consultation.