When you think of hip international locations for a nightclub, Fort Lauderdale FL hardly pops into your mind. Located just twenty or so miles north of Miami, this beach front town is undergoing a high style re-vamp that is worthy of any other "second city" and I am proud...
Continue ReadingIt's Sunday and normally I wouldn't be blogging today, however, this graphic I found on blinkr is compelling and interesting. Though no reference to really much at all, this imagery is bemusing and not without political under tones. My take is COFFEE and cigarettes. Come on, its...
Continue Reading[caption id="attachment_198" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sir Lancelot and Friend"][/caption] When Sick Bastard Choppers founder and visionary, Dan Dausey sets his sights on doing something new and fresh, he doesn’t play. Dan is a dear friend of mine and a true Miami Beach icon. Not to mention he’s a pretty able...
Continue Reading[caption id="attachment_158" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="Collaboration: Collins and Fortis"] Joinery Detail My friend Tim Collins of Skwehr Design wasn't always my close friend. The design community is a small one here in Miami and when I came to this Island of South, beach that is, I was astounded by my inability...
Continue ReadingThe cameo nightclub was just a beta test for this behemoth Truthfully, I was going to take today off. We all worked in the studio late crunching out a deadline for CRUNCH and had to make a fed ex deadline by 2pm. Side bar: Hire a design/architecture firm that works on...
Continue ReadingPreliminary Crunch South Beach PT barBigtime Design Studios has recently been chosen as the design firm to handle the complete re-branding of the national fitness brand Crunch and their new vision. Described by former brand manager of Morgans Hotel Group, Tim Miller as "the apex where nightlife and fitness combine" this...
Continue ReadingPerfect. You've now negotiated a great lease based on 6% of gross. You have gotten the normal and yes, I do mean NORMAL 90 day buildout from your landlord and now you are ready for the next big step. Unless you are a seasoned operator and concept...
Continue ReadingSo, you want to be in the nightclub business? Or rather you want to open your own restaurant. You've traveled, you've bought bottles in all the hipster clubs, you've analyzed your market and now your ready to make the plunge. Where do you start? Do i...
Continue ReadingDesigner, nightlife impresario and Bigtime founder Callin Fortis – primarily known for designing and branding the international and award-winning brand of Crobar nightclubs – is combining fashion, music, branding and architecture into one package with Bigtime Design. Bigtime's recent projects include working as the interior architects for Morgan’s Hotel Group’s Mondrian...
Continue ReadingI love my buddhist dog. Have you ever noticed the faces of the people walking in the streets of New York. Generally, No one makes eye contact with you. Between iphones, ipods and iwontlookup, most everyone looks down. Except...
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