FLEUR Restaurant

FLEUR, a Shanghainese restaurant in NYC, embodies Shanghai’s elegance fused with Brooklyn’s modernity in a 2,000 square-foot space with vintage-meets-modern design elements, natural lighting, and a transformative ambiance by Design Next Agency (DNA) and QWA Studio.

Firm
  • ,
  • area / size 2,000 sqft
  • Year 2025
  • Location New York City, New York, United States,
  • Type Restaurant,

    • Design Next Agency (DNA), in collaboration with QWA Studio, announces the opening of FLEUR, a Shanghainese restaurant at 392 5th Ave that masterfully bridges Shanghai’s golden-era elegance and Brooklyn’s bold modernity. Spanning 2,000 square feet, the space transitions seamlessly from a sunlit daytime retreat to an intimate evening enclave, redefining Park Slope’s dining scene.

    DNA’s vision for FLEUR draws inspiration from Shanghai’s Art Deco legacy, reinterpreting its geometric motifs and craftsmanship through a Brooklyn lens. By day, natural light cascades through arched windows, illuminating rare vintage tiles, deep emerald tones, and warm wood finishes. By night, sculptural pendant lamps and brass sconces cast a sultry glow over marble tables and plush velvet banquettes, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

    Signature DNA Design Elements
    Vintage-Meets-Modern Bar: The centerpiece bar, clad in meticulously sourced ceramic tiles, pairs brass accents with dark wood paneling, embodying the project’s fusion ethos.

    Textural Layers: Custom velvet banquettes, lattice-patterned ceilings, and jewel-toned walls create a tactile, immersive experience.
    Lighting as Chameleon: Adjustable fixtures shift from bright daylight to evening ambiance, mirroring the restaurant’s dual identity.

    The project’s greatest triumph was its transformation. The team demolished and rebuilt the space entirely—replacing rotted studs, plumbing, and flooring—to resurrect a derelict shell into a refined sanctuary. “We treated this like an archaeological restoration,” explains QWA Studio architect Quin Wu. “Even the arched windows were reimagined to frame the neighborhood as living art.”

    Since its November 2024 debut, FLEUR has garnered acclaim for its atmospheric duality and DNA’s meticulous craftsmanship. Patrons praise its ability to balance intimacy and vibrancy, cementing its status as a destination for dim sum lunches, celebratory dinners, and every moment in between.

    The agency continues to push boundaries with upcoming projects, including Hey Tea – Lafayette and Ren – Brooklyn, further solidifying their reputation for culturally rich, forward-thinking design.

    Design: Design Next Agency (DNA)
    Architect: QWA Studio, Quin Wu
    Lead Designer: Tenzin Samphel
    Photography: Kaylee Wong