Sawmill Market
If the world is our design oyster and Pinterest is our vast design sea to thrive in, then Sawmill Market is one of the lucky pearls found along our seafaring design journey. This stunning lumber warehouse turned retail district in New Mexico (of all places, I know!) is layered with some impeccable design details - it had me swooning so much on the day I found it, I’m pretty sure I dreamt of going on a date there that evening.
The food hall and experimental culinary / cocktail laboratory was designed by Brooklyn-based interior and brand design firm Islyn Studio (website / instagram), who leveraged and reimagined the unique architectural character of the context into a destination that truly sings. The revived warehouse space is now home to 40,000 SF of restaurant, cocktail bars, tap rooms, test kitchens, retail spaces, and pop up shops.
I love how the space feels so vibrant but rooted - with so many great adaptive reuse projects around the country, this one really stands out to me for the use of materials, the approach to lighting, and the carefully considered brand details. It feels approachable and eclectic - a welcoming space for cowboys, artists, and young professionals to gather. You can tell that Islyn Studio really did their research - not only did they use reclaimed timber from the original warehouse, but they wove in local materials, such as handmade tiles, leather, and adobe. Crafts from local artists and artisans are woven throughout the spaces.
Sawmill Market is designed with delight and discovery at top of mind; there is a hidden cocktail bar / greenhouse apothecary called Botanic, a tap room that nods to heritage woodworking called Paxton, and The Mercantile Wine Bar and Cafe for a tasteful collection of local treasures. The outdoor terrace doubles as a space for events, movie screenings, picnics, and coworking.
Culture and creativity are woven into every fiber and grain at Sawmill Market - its refreshing design has an ease, warmth, and hospitality to it, and clearly no detail was too small for careful consideration. I can’t wait to visit!
All photos in this post have been shared with permission from Islyn Studio and Read McKendree.