The Horsemen & Fitzgerald's

A comprehensive multi-zone audio visual installation delivering distinct sonic character to every space across a busy Broadgate Circle venue in London.

The Client

The Horsemen & Fitzgerald’s is a unique dual-identity restaurant and bar concept located on the ground floor upper circle of the very popular Broadgate Circle, EC2, drinking & eating area frequented by the thousands of people that work in the surrounding EC2 office blocks, operated by 13th Street Hospitality, encompassing a ground-floor site that has been split into a traditional Irish pub bar and a restaurant. Both spaces have their own dedicated entrances and there is a discreet door curtain divide to allow passage between the two.

With draught Guinness, Irish whiskies and live horse racing on the screens, The Horsemen is a traditional Irish pub built around race-day atmosphere. Fitzgerald’s, its jockey club-inspired restaurant, is an intimate club room serving lunch and dinner from morning through to late evening. The restaurant brings an Irish American spirit to life through a menu centred around premium Irish beef steaks, Kentucky fried chicken and comforting classics, alongside strong cocktails and a lively atmosphere.

Project Brief

Sound Division was appointed to design and install principally a two-zone audio system capable of running each area of the venue independently: being able to play the same or two separate playlists in the bar and restaurant areas, and unobtrusive background music in the toilet areas, all from a single audio system and one simple point of control.

Within the Horsemen pub, two large screens were required to display horse racing and other sporting events.

System Solution

In the Horsemen pub, multiple Martin Audio CDD6 compact loudspeakers in black finish (150W) deliver punchy, medium-output coverage suited to the dark interior and to a busy pre- and post-work crowd, mounted on Powerdrive ceiling bracketry. Fitzgerald’s restaurant is served by a further set of Martin Audio CDD6 loudspeakers in white finish, tuned for a warmer, more conversational tone appropriate to dining. Washroom areas are covered by flush-mounted Martin Audio C4.8T ceiling speakers providing discreet background coverage.

The entire sound system is managed through a BSS Soundweb London Blu100 digital processor, an 8-in/8-out platform giving full independent control over EQ, levels and routing per zone, powered by Wharfedale DP4065 four-channel, 1100W power amplifiers. Day-to-day control sits with a custom-designed GUI on an Apple tablet, giving staff source selection and volume control for every zone from a single touchscreen. DJ input connection points have been installed in both the bar and restaurant for live DJ set-ups when required.

The site has also been future proofed with pre-installed speaker cabling to designated positions in each area if it is decided that bass enhancement is required.

On the video side, a pair of Samsung 65″ LED display screens have been supplied and positioned over the back bar at high level. The screens are fed via a Blustream HDMI-over-IP distribution system, pushing a 4K HD broadcast display signal over the venue’s existing 1Gb network and giving flexible source and screen selection into the Horsemen Bar. A Cisco SG300 PoE switch and a dedicated Dell Mini PC support full remote access and management of the system. The broadcasts are streamed from an Apple TV box. Video management is provided by a customised set of programmed selection buttons on the Apple tablet.

The Result

Each area of The Horsemen & Fitzgerald’s now runs its own distinct sound experience from a single point of control, giving staff complete flexibility to match the atmosphere to the time of day.

The client is delighted with the result:

“The installation has transformed the venue — seamless control, great sound, and a result that exceeded expectations.”
— 13th Street Hospitality

Project Construction, Key Suppliers

• Client: 13th Street Hospitality
• Main Contractor: Metz Construction
• Interior Design: Artelier Ochre Architecture & Interiors Design
• Project Management: Stuart Consultancy
• Electrical Contractor: Meridian Electrical Contractors Ltd
• Kitchen & Bar Contractor: Sprint Group
• AV System: Sound Division
• IT & CCTV: Knightsbridge security services Ltd
• Comms/Wi-Fi: Support Wizzard