North of Brooklyn Pizzeria Queensway

The 8th location of North of Brooklyn finds its home in Toronto’s Etobicoke neighborhood, occupying a two-story space that seamlessly marries vibrant takeout energy with a refined bar experience. The ground floor houses the North of Brooklyn kitchen and takeout counter, while the upper level transforms into the Low Rise bar and dining room.

Entering beneath a large lightbox awning emblazoned with the North of Brooklyn logo, visitors are immersed in a cinematic moment reminiscent of the Star Wars title crawl. This lightbox continues inside, forming the ceiling of the takeout area, which is fully enveloped in DTILE molded tiles. These custom tiles extend from wall to ceiling in a continuous wrap, even folding outward to create functional hooks for merch display, blurring the line between surface and fixture.

Upstairs, the Low Rise bar and dining room draw on nostalgic Italian design, reimagined with a contemporary edge. The 40-seat space is anchored by a monumental bar, clad in a mosaic of tumbled marble and topped with a zinc countertop that will become richly patinated with time. Above, a fluted pendant light by In Common With casts a warm glow, setting the tone for an intimate dining experience.

To maximize natural light, new windows were cut into the side façade, aligning with walnut dining tables that cantilever from the walls, nestled perfectly within the window niches. These tables, paired with green leather banquettes inspired by Joe Colombo’s iconic Tube Chair, rest on folded steel feet, creating a subtle interplay of color, material, and form.

To address the low ceiling heights, the mechanical systems are concentrated around the perimeter, allowing for a raised ceiling in the center. This rounded rectangle is accented by a cove light that highlights the texture of the popcorn ceiling, creating a striking contrast against the high-gloss painted lower bulkhead, further enhancing the room’s spatial dynamics.

Design: Ménard Dworkind Architecture & Design
Architect of Record: Barry Goldman Architect
Photography: David Dworkind