In 2016 A&Q Partnership, working under the Four Architecture and Design joint venture, was commissioned by AB-InBev to look at sites in London and Brussels for Brew Pub sites for their Goose Island Brand. Initially sites at the O2 Dome and King’s Cross in London were investigated for a full working brewery and associated restaurants and bars. A smaller site in Balham was identified as a ‘Vintage Ale Bar,’ a showcase for the Goose Island Beer brand. A Listed Building near the Bourse UNESCO World Heritage site in Brussels was chosen to create a Goose Island Bar and Restaurant.

The O2 and Kings Cross sites were discounted due to technical and timing difficulties but work progressed on the design for the Balham and Brussels sites. We worked closely with McKinley-Burkart, the global design consultants for Goose Island based in Canada to develop the schemes in line with the Goose Island Global Brand. The Brussels ‘Montecristo’ project was fairly well advanced before Goose Island withdrew from the project due to lease and planning issues that were proving impossible to resolve in the timescales set by AB-InBev.

Balham however, proceeded apace and with a very tight build programme, our team overcoming many issues to deliver a very well received bar and restaurant in this upcoming area of South London from bare shell to completed project in 8 weeks. The design concept introduces natural materials, brick, timber, leather and ceramics to create an atmospheric and charismatic destination for the Goose Island Brand.

View the Four Architecture website