From bank vault to bar: Shelby is a clandestine drinking spot in Detroit

In Detroit's Financial District, the 1920s US Mortgage Bond Building now hosts an Australian-inspired coffee shop, Coffee Down Under, and Shelby, a clandestine speakeasy situated within the building's original bank vault. Designed by Primary Projects, an architecture firm based in Detroit and Boston, Shelby's interior design thoughtfully incorporates elements from early 20th-century banking to acknowledge its historical context. This is evident in the transformation of the former teller enclosures into a multi-tiered, arcade-like back bar, serving as an attractive display for bottles. The chosen material palette subtly references the aesthetics of money, featuring a gold back bar constructed by Fillmore in Woodbridge with a repetitive bank teller pattern, along with green velour banquette seats and various metallic fixtures. New terrazzo-style tables and bar tops have been installed, meticulously matched to complement the restored original floors. The bank vault, which remained operational until 1998, has been repurposed to offer a distinctive dining experience in Detroit. Owner Tarun Kajeepta described the vault's initial condition, noting its deterioration despite being intact. Significant restoration efforts were undertaken to make the space functional, particularly addressing rust on the stainless steel, including the iconic vault door. This involved extensive buffing and dedicated work to salvage and integrate the original materials into the new design. The vault can accommodate 30 guests for a full dinner service and is also available for private events and meetings. A notable design feature within the vault is an accent wall that, upon closer inspection, reveals a subtle, rough diagram of Detroit's city streetscape in gold on a black background. Campus Martius forms the central point, with lines representing major avenues such as Michigan Ave, Woodward, and Gratiot, among others. Kajeepta also highlighted the unexpected challenges encountered during the renovation, particularly the difficulty of working with the space's existing infrastructure. Drilling the HVAC hole into the vault, which involved penetrating raw steel and concrete, took 18 hours. This necessitated innovative solutions, such as using powerful magnets to suspend all ceiling elements—lighting, speakers, and a projector screen—from the original steel structure. The main dining room further exemplifies the creative integration of old and new. Layers of the building's history are visible through the exposed old plaster and original crown mouldings, which interact dynamically with modern finishes. Plush velvet banquettes and stools introduce warmth, contrasting with the dominant metal and stone elements. The culinary and beverage concepts are also designed to align with the unique character of the space. Shelby primarily functions as a cocktail bar, but with a strong emphasis on food quality. Initially, due to restrictions, a three-course pre-fixe menu was offered, which proved popular and has since been maintained. The menu now also includes shareable savory and sweet plates, alongside a coursed meal that provides a comprehensive dining experience and allows for seasonal and inventive culinary creations. An art installation by local Detroit artist John Bianchi adorns a large wall in the dining room. His panels incorporate color, metal, and layered textures found throughout the space, with one panel designed to peel away from the wall, revealing its construction layers of wood frame, canvas, and metal sheets, inviting careful analysis much like the multi-layered interiors of Shelby itself. #adaptiveReuse #bankVaultConversion #speakeasyDesign #detroitInteriors #restaurantDesign #primaryProjects #historicalRenovation #barDesign #architecturalAdaptation #adaptiveReuse #bankVaultConversion #speakeasyDesign #detroitInteriors #restaurantDesign #primaryProjects #historicalRenovation #barDesign #architecturalAdaptation