Each year, AZRE magazine’s RED Awards commemorates the meticulous work accomplished by the teams of companies who shepherd projects of all kinds from initial concept to final delivery. Each category represents the finest the industry has to offer — state-of-the-art education buildings, chic offices spaces, lavish hotels, modern apartments and so much more. Today, take a deeper look at the finalists for restaurant project of the year.
The 2026 RED Awards will honor finalists and announce winners in 18 categories on Thursday, March 19 at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale. The year’s top developer, general contractor, architecture firm and subcontractor will also be celebrated.
The RED Awards VIP sponsor is Haydon Companies, the spotlight sponsor is Core Construction, the beverage sponsor is DP Electric, the dessert sponsor is Layton Construction, the step and repeat sponsor is Suntec Concrete, the valet sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction, the giveaway sponsor is Willmeng Construction, the 360 photo booth sponsor is Ironmark Building Company and the floral sponsor is Arizona Escrow.
Tickets for the 2026 RED Awards can be found here.
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Here are the finalists for the Restaurants project category:
The Ra Ra Room
- General contractor: Okland Construction
- Architect: Gensler
- Owner: Player 15 Group
- Subcontractors: Energy Systems Design, Landmark Kitchen Design, Revel Design Group
- City: Phoenix
- Size: 5,000 square feet
The Ra Ra Room is an exclusive, member-only dining club located within the Mortgage Matchup Center, home to the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. This elevated hospitality space caters to the arena’s most VIP guests, immersing them in an atmosphere of intrigue and prestige. The design evokes the glamour of mid-century supper clubs, layered with art deco opulence and desert-inspired materiality, creating a transportive experience unlike any other.
Conceived as a year-round destination, the Ra Ra Room redefines arena hospitality beyond game-day service. A sculptural molded ceiling and Murano glass chandeliers crown the space, while a vibrant central bar anchors the room and radiates social energy. Seating was strategically arranged to maximize views of both the space and its guests, fostering interaction and spectacle.
The palette draws inspiration from Phoenix’s desert landscape, with warm reds and pinks reminiscent of rocky formations. Columns finished in hand-troweled plaster echo the textures of cacti and earth tones, while plush carpet and ruched drapery soften acoustics and add tactile richness. Mid-century-inspired furniture, brass accents and playful animal prints nod to desert nightlife, while locally sourced artwork reinforces a sense of place and contributes to the venue’s “Rat Pack glam” character.
Delivering this vision required overcoming significant challenges including an aggressive six-month fit-out schedule, a highly detailed design, and the complexity of building within an active arena during live events and concerts.
WOLF by Vanderpump
- Developer: HCW
- General contractor: A.R. Mays Construction
- Architect: Vanderpump Alain
- City: Scottsdale
- Size: 6,230 square feet
WOLF by Vanderpump occupies the seventh floor of Caesars Republic Scottsdale, offering unobstructed Camelback Mountain views and presenting unique construction logistics. The design includes large-scale fabricated wolf cages with sculpted stone wolves, custom chandeliers, a full-length bar, water features, operable window systems opening to the pool deck and mountain views and custom millwork requiring crane access through windows. Dark, moody finishes — chain walls, oversized planters, soaring eagles, gold-flaked wallpaper, crystal fixtures — create dramatic refinement.
Building on the seventh floor of an operational luxury hotel required materials to be staged in a neighboring parking garage, then transported via single freight elevator. Larger pieces came through operable windows via crane. The team coordinated deliveries hourly, staged materials efficiently in limited space and moved one-of-a-kind pieces with precision care. Daily coordination meetings aligned all trades with the timeline and hotel operations. Construction sequenced around guest experience — noise, cleanliness and hotel events dictated schedules.
Vanderpump Alain maintained on-site presence throughout, executing furniture, fixtures and equipment installation while A.R. Mays Construction managed base building work, mechanical systems and trade coordination. The two resolved real-time challenges: overhead systems threading through dense lighting while ensuring perfect furniture alignment. Procore facilitated rapid decision-making as design adjustments happened throughout construction.
Warren’s Supper Club
- General contractor: LGE Design Build
- Architect: LGE Design Build
- Owner: Warren’s Supper Club
- Subcontractors: Integrity Electric, Sunset Acoustics, Destiny Painting, Lion Craft Millwork, Pueblo Mechanical
- City: Chandler
- Size: 7,000 square feet
More than a dining destination, the project represents a thoughtful blend of architecture, craftsmanship and placemaking that elevates the regional hospitality landscape. The design balances timeless supper-club character with contemporary construction standards, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Careful attention was given to material selection, detailing and layout to support operational efficiency while enhancing the guest experience. From the welcoming entry to the warm interior spaces, the project was intentionally designed to encourage gathering, connection and repeat visitation.
From a construction standpoint, Warren’s Supper Club presented unique challenges that required close collaboration among the development, design and construction teams. Precision scheduling, quality craftsmanship and problem-solving were essential to delivering a space that met both aesthetic and functional goals without compromise. The result is a high-quality build that reflects durability, comfort and long-term value.
As an anchor hospitality venue, Warren’s Supper Club has already demonstrated meaningful community impact and serves as a social hub while supporting local employment. Its presence strengthens the surrounding area and reinforces the importance of well-executed, experience-driven development.
Society Swan
- Developer: Fox Restaurant Concepts
- General contractor: A.R. Mays Construction
- Architect: Nelsen Partners
- City: Scottsdale
- Size: 7,625 square feet
Society Swan occupies the shell of what used to be Kona Grill. Fox Restaurant Concepts envisioned something completely different from anything in their portfolio: a 1960s-meets-Paris concept with serious design ambition. Round wood-framed storefront windows, custom curved elements, and tile and millwork executed to exacting standards.
Building inside an operational high-end shopping mall requires a different approach to construction. Material deliveries were coordinated to the hour, equipment moves were staged during off-peak traffic and critical work ran on night shifts — sometimes starting at 1 a.m. — to minimize disruption. Commercial kitchen equipment, custom millwork packages, and oversized material deliveries all moved through Scottsdale Fashion Square’s corridors on carefully orchestrated schedules that kept both the construction timeline and mall operations running smoothly.
Without traditional laydown space, the sequencing approach was refined throughout construction. Materials arrived staged for immediate installation, trades rotated through in tight coordination, and the superintendent orchestrated the flow with the kind of precision that kept the project moving efficiently from start to completion. The finished space showcases exceptional craftsmanship. The tile work, mirrors, curved storefront, and millwork details came together exactly as designed. Society Swan represents the successful transformation of dormant retail space into a distinctive dining destination that serves Scottsdale Fashion Square and the community for years to come.
The Henry – Uptown Plaza
- Developer: Fox Restaurant Concepts
- General contractor: A.R. Mays Construction
- Architect: Nelsen Partners
- City: Phoenix
- Size: 8,212 square feet
The Henry – Uptown Plaza brought Fox Restaurant Concepts’ signature all-day dining experience to Central Phoenix, transforming a dormant Applebee’s location into a thriving neighborhood destination. This project introduced a new Henry design concept to the Arizona market, featuring timeless elegance combined with modern charm — cozy banquettes, tufted chairs, ornate wooden and marble tables, and a bustling open kitchen that creates the energy FRC is known for.
The standout architectural element is the custom cedar patio ceiling, which defines the expansive indoor-outdoor bar area and creates a sophisticated transition between the interior dining space and exterior environment. This feature required precise coordination between millwork trades and structural teams to achieve the design intent while meeting performance requirements for an outdoor application.
Uptown Plaza presented standard commercial site constraints — active retail operations, limited staging areas, and coordination with landlord requirements for surrounding sitework. A.R. Mays Construction managed these conditions through disciplined sequencing and proactive communication with trade partners and property management.
The Henry Uptown Plaza opened on schedule, providing Uptown Plaza with a vibrant restaurant concept that activated previously dormant retail space. The restaurant has become a neighborhood staple, serving guests from early morning coffee and pastries through dinner service and evening cocktails. Store management and staff have embraced the space, and the restaurant’s success reinforces the value of transforming underutilized retail locations into active dining destinations that serve their communities.
Sparrow
- Developer: Pederson Group
- General contractor: Ganem Companies
- Architect: ALINE Architecture Concepts
- Owner: Sky Restaurant Concepts
- City: Peoria
- Size: 4,431 square feet
Sparrow Trailhead redefines neighborhood dining in the West Valley by pairing elevated design with an effortless sense of place. Thoughtfully crafted interiors, a welcoming indoor-outdoor flow, and a menu built for gathering have made Sparrow a true community anchor. From concept to execution, every detail reflects intentionality, collaboration and quality, delivering an experience that feels refined yet approachable. Sparrow Trailhead exemplifies what happens when design, hospitality, and community alignment come together.
