Erika Lambreton
HG Sply Co. Is Already Expanding.
Things are going pretty well at HG Sply Co., the sort of farm boy/Paleo-style restaurant that opened up on Lower Greenville back in May. How well? Well enough that its owners are now looking to expand their popular rooftop bar in the coming months, while also adding unobstructed views of downtown, freshly made cocktails and an expansive beer and wine list to its offerings.
“I'm a big fan of controlled environments,” says Elias Pope, one of the four co-owners of the restaurant, who emphasizes that the expansion will feature the same relaxed, communal spirit so evident throughout the rest of the spot.
HG Sply Co., which stands for Hunter Gatherer, hopes to offer the area something truly unique; the establishment focuses on all things local, which was a major deciding factor in the restaurants' design process. From quaint mason jars on every table to the industrial design of the building, with its exposed brick walls and re-purposed wooden tables taken straight out of old freight trains, Pope and the HG Sply Co. team have attempted to create a place where “every little detail is meant to make you have a great experience to where you can just relax.”
While Pope says that the restaurant and its crew are still tweaking and improving upon their existing menu, the owners have decided to upgrade their already-popular rooftop bar regardless. The hope? That it will be among the “coolest, most laid back roof top experiences” in town, Pope says.
“It's not a roof top, per se,” he adds. “It's truly another structure that was built two stories above Greenville Avenue. And it's concrete — nearly 10,000 square feet — so we can do so much with it.”
Such as? The existing power lines, which cut directly through the amazing views of downtown will be taken down in the coming weeks for a clear glimpse into the heart of the Dallas skyline.
Beyond that? Well, the owners just only recently sat down and started conceptualizing the space with Jones Baker, the local interior architectural firm not only responsible for the interior design of HG Sply Co., but also for local favorites Bowl & Barrel, Cook Hall and Meso Maya.
“The plans are to have trees and herb gardens on the walls so we can use those herbs in our drinks and for infusions,” Pope says. “[But] we're still in the design phase right now and we're still trying to see if everything will work out logistically.”
This much is known: A large U-shaped bar will sit in the middle of the rooftop, with private sections for private events closed off by barn doors and maybe a few more tables added — but only a few, so as not to overwork the small kitchen during dinner service.
“We're not here to cause a ruckus,” says Pope. “And we're not looking to compete with [other Lower Greenville bars]. We're looking to create an area that brings value to everybody who lives and works here.”
