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iSpec LLC

 

Impact — Commercial Kitchen Renovation

The Project

Commercial kitchens are a different animal. The scope, the code requirements, the coordination between trades — everything operates at a different scale and standard than residential work. The Impact project was a full commercial kitchen renovation inside an existing commercial space, covering rough-in replacement, a completely redesigned equipment layout, and code-compliant finish work throughout.

The space had a previous kitchen installation that was aging out and no longer suited to the operator's needs. Rather than patch around the existing setup, the decision was made to clear it and start fresh with a layout built around the actual workflow of the kitchen. That means planning the equipment positions first, then working backward through the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins to put everything exactly where it needs to be — not where the last tenant left it.

The finished kitchen is built to commercial health code, inspection-ready, and laid out to work efficiently from opening to close.

Before

The existing kitchen was largely stripped out prior to our scope beginning — previous equipment removed, leaving exposed rough-in connections along the walls and an open floor ready for layout work. The MEP rough-ins were aged and positioned for the previous equipment configuration, requiring full re-routing to suit the new layout. The adjacent prep and service areas were in similar condition — functional but overdue for a proper commercial renovation.

During

The rough-in phase involved re-routing plumbing, gas, and electrical to match the new equipment positions — stainless prep tables, cooking line, hood system, and a three-compartment sink station. Commercial code requires specific clearances, drainage slopes, ventilation rates, and material standards throughout, so every decision during rough-in has a finish implication that needs to be accounted for before anything is covered up.

The hood system installation is a good example — the duct run, makeup air configuration, and fire suppression tie-ins all had to be coordinated and inspected before the ceiling was closed in. Getting the sequence right and keeping inspections on schedule is what keeps a commercial project moving.

After

The finished kitchen is a clean, fully operational commercial space — stainless work surfaces throughout, a properly configured cooking line with full hood coverage, a dedicated sink station, and recessed lighting that actually lights the work area. The glass block wall along the exterior brings in natural light without compromising the utility wall space needed for equipment and ventilation.

Everything was inspected, passed, and handed over ready for the health department walk-through. A commercial kitchen renovation is only complete when it's actually open and operating — and this one was built to get there without a punchlist that drags on for weeks.

Dream. Build. Inspire.