Sam Marshall to design Republique in former Campanile space

News came this fall that seminal L.A. restaurant Campanile would close and in its place would rise Republique, the project from chef-owners Walter and Margarita Manzke and partner Bill Chait. Now the Manzkes and Chait have tapped Sam Marshall, who designed Gjelina in Venice and Laurel Hardware in West Hollywood, to work with Osvaldo Maiozzi, the architect behind many of Chait’s other restaurants, including Rivera, Playa and Bestia.

The 1920s Spanish building originally was commissioned by Charlie Chaplin for his offices, which he lost during his scandalous divorce from actress Lita Grey. Larry Silverton bought the La Brea Avenue building in 1987, which was transformed into Campanile, with a bakery, light-filled atrium, partially open kitchen and several dining areas. Campanile closed on Oct. 31.

“The institution that [chefs] Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton created deserves the utmost respect,” Marshall says. “We want to focus on community and revealing the century-old building that has contributed to making Los Angeles one of the best cities on the planet. As a result, our biggest challenge is going to be getting out of the way and simply providing the best public space possible.”

Walter Manzke has said he plans a lively bistro and bakery with a less-formal dining room, hewing to his Paris-inspired vision of polished food served in a more casual environment. Construction is expected to begin in January with a mid-2013 planned opening date.

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