Entertainment Architecture: Technology & Design
Since
1938 Bowlmor Lanes, Manhattan's oldest and largest bowling center, has been a beloved fixture for many New Yorkers. In 1997 the owners decided a facelift was in order, albeit one that would incorporate
the alley's somewhat eccentric ambience.
The renovated spot is welcoming and unpretentious yet hip enough
to host a staff party for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."
The center celebrates the sport of bowling in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. The designers created surreal back-lit wall images using freeze frames of people from vintage 1960s "How To Bowl" film strips. Walls in the main lobby feature a bas relief of bowling pins, and the familiar gilt figure that tops bowling trophies is used in a similar frieze in the lounge. Encased in glass, a classic pin spotter mechanism endlessly cycles through its movements.
The location's existing vinyl tile and Naugahyde were reused, and even reclaimed wood from two demolished lanes was utilized to create a curved bar. Items from bowling-ball dispensers to chairs and tables are cast in colorful, retro designs. Warm shades of red, orange and yellow are used throughout the space, often interspersed in a playful fashion.