Vesuvio Bakery Returns to New York

An iconic fixture of New York’s SoHo neighborhood, Vesuvio Bakery has made its return to its original Manhattan address after an 11-year hiatus thanks to restaurateur Adam Block. Evoking a classic appeal and a contemporary Italian flair, the design by New York-based architect and designer Cass Calder Smith reflects the evolution of the brand while also celebrating its century-old legacy. “It’s like a cherished historic antique,” Calder Smith says. “Because of that, we carefully restored the façade so it was as it had always been—but fresh. Inside, we replaced everything, and as before, the focus is bread.” The glass storefront and original signage are retained beneath a new awning that complements the location’s signature green hue. A bread wall display serves as the main focal point of the intimate 500-square-foot bakery. Interior brick walls were restored and the original ceiling was replaced with pressed tin similar to its predecessor. An Italian Carrara stone display counter also anchors the bakery, accented by white oak and satin brass elements illuminated by new and vintage lighting. “We really worked hard to shoe-horn the functions all in,” Calder Smith adds. “From a branding communication standpoint, it was a challenge to make the place have a new voice with the same Italian accent. With careful design and Italian stone for the counters and floors, I think it translated.”