Zack Sklar, co-owner of catering company Cutting Edge Cuisine, has announced plans for a world-class event space in Bloomfield Twp. In addition to the catering company, Sklar also owns four metro Detroit restaurants: Social in Birmingham, Como’s in Ferndale, and Beau’s Grillery and Mex in Bloomfield Hils. Operating under the working title Bloomfield Hollow, the 30,000 square-foot space is slated to break ground later this year.
A Lay of the Land
Tucked within 30-acres of idyllic forest off Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hollow seeks to maintain the natural amenities of the property. The surrounding land contains protected wetlands and mature growth forests, only discoverable by a winding ¼-mile driveway. Prior to planning, Sklar commissioned a detailed study of the property to ensure its protection.
“We are keeping the native trees and cutting down the absolute bare minimum,” Sklar said in a press release. “The architecture is designed to wrap around the wetlands, not pave over them. When you arrive, there is going to be a massive wow factor. And you are just surrounded by woods.”
A Look at the Venue
With 650 seats available and space for 1,000 strolling guests, the $17 million project looks to be Oakland County’s premier large-scale event space. The venue’s glass atrium provides guests a 270-degree view of the surrounding property. Bloomfield Hollow will have two floors, including a sunken amphitheater and an indoor/outdoor transitional space.
While the venue is built to accommodate all event types, Sklar had the auto industry in mind during the design process. The structure is designed to allow for vehicles to be driven through the venue for big reveals and media events.
Sklar is working with Joel Dixon, a New York-based designer and founder of Dopio Collective on the project. Dixon’s studio is a creative force behind the Auberge Resorts Collection and Four Seasons hotels. Additionally, Sklar has recruited interior designer Mel McKoy, design architect Isaac Michan, and landscape architects LandForm to the development.
The project has already passed its first stage of design reviews and will undergo further consideration by the Planning Commission on February 2.
The Brains Behind the Operation
Beyond the scenic attractions of the property, the venue’s dining program will be led by Cutting Edge Cuisine. The catering company is co-owned by Justin Kurtz and Sklar and is known for their high-end clients around Michigan. The duo’s goal is to provide metro Detroit with a large-scale space that emphasizes high-end cooking.
“There isn’t much in our backyards to accommodate 600 to 700 people for a sit-down dinner outside of a hotel ballroom,” Sklar said in a press release. “But we are building this to be a higher-end experience. There are no hot boxes. Everything is cooked a la minute, on-site, utilizing the world’s finest ingredients. It’s the same level of detail and execution as when we cater for global icons like Serena Williams or for luxury car brand launches.”
Sklar and Kurtz are both classically trained chefs who met while studying at Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. They founded Cutting Edge Cuisine together 20 years ago.
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