ST. LOUIS – Merric Millwork and Seating recently completed a project to provide all custom millwork for Jazz St. Louis' new 4,500-square-foot space at 3536 Washington Avenue in Grand Center, now named the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz and the Ferring Jazz Bistro.

  Jazz St. Louis is a non-profit organization that uses performance, education and outreach to advance the art of jazz in St. Louis.

Jazz St. Louis kicked off its $10 million expansion/renovation project by purchasing the former "Jazz at the Bistro" venue and an adjacent three-story building constructed in 1930. Both buildings were gutted and a new, larger facility was designed and constructed.

The renovated, modern jazz club and center includes a stage for musical artists, full kitchen for nightclub dining, three full bars, rehearsal space, lounge and decorative balcony. The space also includes room for Jazz St. Louis staff to reside in one location (offices were formerly located in the nearby Arts & Education Council building).

Merric provided all millwork for the renovated area which included:

• Decorative millwork paneling at the back of the stage and around the club dining areas
• Custom sound "clouds" over the stage for acoustics
• Custom banquette seating
• Two full bars at stage viewing and a third bar in the lounge Lounge theater wall
• Ceiling slat work
• Restroom vanities, partition walls and wood ceilings
• Decorative balcony "pickets"
• Balcony countertops and millwork soffits
• Ticket booth counters
• Coat room shelving
• Rehearsal room bench seat paneling and trim
• Public space wood running trim

Construction on the project began in July 2014 and was completed in late September 2014 in time for the club's grand opening event on Oct. 3 which featured internationally acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader and educator Wynton Marsalis.

"This particular space had a hard date to meet as the space had a grand opening set with a high profile entertainer and event tickets were sold in advance. The needs of the client were met in a joint effort between the general contractor and Merric to successfully accommodate this grand opening on time," said Merric Project Manager Christopher Jones.

The main performance space in the new Ferring Jazz Bistro was reconfigured with the stage moved to the east wall, from the south, placing patrons closer to the performers. The second floor balcony was also expanded and a jazz lounge constructed which features live video performances.

The jazz education and practice space in the adjacent building features six soundproof, individual and small group practice rooms and two large rehearsal studios. A recording studio was also built to facilitate recording and live streaming performances to an online audience.

The Lawrence Group was the architect on the project, Jamieson Design was the interior designer and BSI Constructors was the general contractor.

About Merric

Merric Millwork and Seating is a leading custom woodwork and seating manufacturer based in St. Louis, MO. With 24+ years of experience, Merric specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of custom architectural woodwork, millwork, upholstered booth seating, custom cabinetry, tables, podiums, POS fixtures and deco walls for the restaurant, hospitality, healthcare and education industries. Merric also fabricates all solid surface and plastic laminate countertops, toilet partitions and vanities from its 50,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, complete with two specialized finishing booths for superior finishes on all types of wood and metal. For more information about Merric, visit www.merric.com or call 314-378-8968. Finish with the Best!