An Exclusive Look Behind the Design of Corsica Wine Bar

Photo: Corsica Wine Bar

When Drew McConnell, creative director of RiNo’s Corsica Wine Bar, and his in-house design team were tasked with turning a vacant 100-year-old building into a vibrant eatery, they knew that a huge number of variables had to be carefully considered.

“The building had dirt floors, and the brick was battered and timeworn,” he says. “Hand-made exterior mosaic tiles, glass block, and a wooden ceiling that resembled the belly of a boat gave the building its historic character. The glass block reflected light in dancing rivulets resembling light on water.”

Photo: Corsica Wine Bar

The restaurant’s location in the RiNo Arts District played a crucial part in contributing to the culture by maintaining the integrity of the original structure. As McConnell explains, “What you see is like an iceberg where the tip is obvious. Below the surface, connections to time and history remain. It was important to blur and blend, adding to what was there without noticeable demarcation.”

As stewards of the old brick, McConnell contracted a mural on the outside of the building. Painted directly on the brick rather than priming it preserved the surface. Keya Tama, a South African muralist well-known for his work blending ancient energy and modern rhythm completed the project. Done in time for the 2023 Denver Walls Inaugural, the mural contributes to a vibrant and innovative area arts community.

Drew Mcconnell in his Studio. | Photo: Corsica Wine Bar

The interior’s original floorplan is intact. Wood was untouched, and reclaimed glass block was added to the original. The dirt floor was replaced with a wide plank white oak in a herringbone pattern. “In this way,” says McConnell, “we were able to combine elements of home, forming a vessel of layers, time and connection.”

The bistro culture of Corsica incorporates an open kitchen, enabling guests to participate in the energetic interchange between the kitchen and the bar.

Photo: Corsica Wine Bar

The walls are decorated with travel photographs and paintings by McConnell, blurring the lines between place and life experience. Sized and hung for perspective, the photographs are unposed to illustrate real slices of life. “The art is deeply personal and manifests real, tactile experience,” McConnell notes. “Opposite of a flat, digital experience, the artwork is meant to draw the viewer in to the depicted scene.”

“It felt wonderful to work so hard to create a spot for people to enjoy and take part in the lifetime of the space and neighborhood,” says McConnell. “Not a speck on a timeline, we designed Corsica to enhance the lives of others for many years.”

Photo: Corsica Wine Bar