Project
A Flavorful Fusion: Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine, Baton Rouge
Client
Collaborators
Plus One Construction (General Contractor)
Thompson Luke and Associates (MEP)
Southeast Engineers (Structural)
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Sector
Hospitality
Project Overview
Architecture and cuisine are kindred spirits, both telling a story of culture, passion, and creativity. For renowned Chef Jim Urdiales and his vibrant restaurant, Mestizo, the challenge was to infuse a new home with the soul of his brand. The chosen location, a former corporate franchise, was a blank slate, but one where nearly 75% of the layout was unusable for his vision. Our shared mission was to transform this 4,500 sq ft space, aged and worn, into a dining experience as unique as the food itself.
This project unfolded in two acts. First, a complete interior renovation to give Mestizo the home it deserved. Later, as success grew, we returned to compose an encore: a 1,000 sq ft party room addition. This second phase required us to expand the building’s capacity while ensuring the new structure felt like a natural, harmonious extension of the original design.
The Challenge
Design Vision
Innovation & Sustainability
The Impact
Our collaborative approach focused on pouring passion and budget into the areas that shape the customer
The true success of this project is measured in the clinking of glasses and the happy hum of a full restaurant. The initial renovation completely transformed the dining experience, with an open-cookline concept and continuous banquet seating that maximized capacity while creating an engaging, open-volume atmosphere. Kitchen and back-of-house spaces were streamlined to eliminate waste and improve flow.
The party room addition was a direct response to Mestizo's incredible popularity. By converting an underutilized parking space into a vibrant indoor venue, we significantly increased the restaurant’s capacity for large group functions. This allows Chef Urdiales to host private events and accommodate overflow crowds without disrupting the intimate experience for day-to-day customers. It’s more than an addition; it's an investment in community, celebration, and the continued success of a beloved local institution.
Behind every beautiful space is a story of technical ingenuity. In the initial renovation, our victory was in the transformation itself, breathing new life into an old shell and maximizing the project budget to target the high-value, client-facing areas that truly define the Mestizo experience. It was about seeing potential where others saw limitations.
For the party room addition, the technical highlight was a delicate dance of structural design and framing coordination. To achieve the distinctive, cross-like window aesthetic along the new walls, we had to get creative. Our team worked in close partnership with the structural engineers, reimagining how to use pack studs, frame jambs, headers, and sills to manage load paths from the roof down to the foundation. It was a testament to how even the smallest details can be engineered with artistry.
Our commitment to sustainability is woven into our design philosophy. This project is a celebration of adaptive reuse, a powerful way to build with minimal construction waste. By giving an existing structure a new story, we honored its past while building a more efficient future.
Throughout both phases, we prioritized budget-friendly concepts and details, proving that visionary design doesn't require unlimited resources. Where possible, we incorporated sustainable materials, ensuring the space is not only beautiful but also responsible. It’s a space built with intention, designed to serve the community for years to come.
The true success of this project is measured in the clinking of glasses and the happy hum of a full restaurant. The initial renovation completely transformed the dining experience, with an open-cookline concept and continuous banquet seating that maximized capacity while creating an engaging, open-volume atmosphere. Kitchen and back-of-house spaces were streamlined to eliminate waste and improve flow.
The party room addition was a direct response to Mestizo's incredible popularity. By converting an underutilized parking space into a vibrant indoor venue, we significantly increased the restaurant’s capacity for large group functions. This allows Chef Urdiales to host private events and accommodate overflow crowds without disrupting the intimate experience for day-to-day customers. It’s more than an addition; it's an investment in community, celebration, and the continued success of a beloved local institution.