Elsa’s on the Park

Elsa’s restaurant is located downtown Milwaukee on Cathedral Square, which is well-known for its nightlife. However, this beautiful historic building was not enjoyed to its fullest extent at night since it was not properly lit. Now, the building invites passersby to dine in and provides a warm glowing focal point from across the square.

The goal for Elsa’s was to develop a lighting scheme that was provocative, glamorous, innovative, and versatile. The exterior facade lighting has four main lighting elements, including grazing the facade with uplight from a close angle located in the sidewalk and window bays to bring out the architectural details and stone texture. Grazing the facade with downlight creating a textural wash from a line of spotlights and linear flood fixtures along the architectural details at the top of the roof parapet. Providing stimulating accents by uplighting the trees and downlighting the sidewalk with accent color. And providing versatility to allow for changes in mood and composition of the exterior appearance with an animated dynamic of varying intensities and colors.