L-Acoustics’ Syva systems are key to the installation
UK - Originally opened by Mark Birley in 1963, Annabel’s is probably London’s most famous private member’s A-list nightclub. It has welcomed legends of film and music, models, heads of state, aristocrats and royalty, including the Queen, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
Moving two doors down to far larger premises at 46 Berkeley Square, Annabel’s has completed a £65m transformation of the grand Georgian townhouse that is the venue’s new home. The Grade I listed four-storey mansion boasts some of central London’s finest Palladian interiors, including a cantilevered stone staircase
Now owned by West End dining tycoon Richard Caring, the original Nina Campbell interiors have been updated for the 21st century by designer Martin Brudnizki, who was also responsible for the makeover of The Ivy and the interiors of Mr Caring’s new restaurants Sexy Fish, located on the east side of Berkeley Square and at 34 Mayfair.
The nightclub in the basement embodies the decadence and energy of the original Annabel’s, with the four floors of the 26,000sq.ft building now comprising a collection of new restaurants and bars, private dining rooms, a cigar salon and workspace. A large terraced garden is fitted with a spectacular glass roof to provide year-round dining.
Marquee AV was commissioned to install the sound systems and production lighting for Annabel’s, with the emphasis being on providing the quality for a world-leading venue. The equipment choice throughout was therefore top-end, whilst ensuring it would merge aesthetically with the venue’s interior design.
The main club dance floor system comprises L-Acoustics X8 loudspeakers combined with SB18 subs, flanked by hidden L-Acoustics Syva systems. An additional Syva system is located opposite the dancefloor to provide seamless quality across the basement area. L-Acoustics 5XT cubes are distributed around the perimeter of the dance floor and throughout the basement floor for additional coverage and in-fill.
The production lighting in the club area comprised moving heads, LED Par Cans and LED wash units, mounted on three light bars above the dance floor. Lighting control is via a PC using ShowCAD and operated on a touch screen. Audio and video connection boxes were also installed at selected points in the basement and ground floor areas to allow for live performances at various locations.
Marquee AV installed each of the restaurants, bars, private dining rooms and public areas with its own appropriately high-end system, using optimum loudspeaker solutions from L-Acoustics, K-Array, d&b and B&W. Q-Sys wall panels provide local control in all rooms and DJ and AV input is provided in many of the rooms to allow for their multi-function use.
(Jim Evans)

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