The Mission Club
This project involved the reinterpretation of a 1730s inn and tavern in Whitemarsh, PA commonly known as the General Lafayette Inn. Named chiefly for the Marquis de Lafayette’s tenure there during the American Revolution, this historic building has undergone many versions of itself as an inn, tavern, restaurant & bar. After its final run as a restaurant, the property was purchased by Michael M. Carter, the Main Line entrepreneur who created The Mission Club - a business club where its members will foster a modern brand of capitalism, entrepreneurship and business development with a social component.
Mike was introduced to Jay by a mutual friend who is very familiar with Jay’s background in historic preservation, clever design and corporate branding. Also a man with distinct design sensibilities, Mike challenged Jay to create an interior that tied somehow ties invention, innovation and creativity into its interior design. Mr. Carter is a member of a very eclectic & visually stunning London Club and asked if Jay could make the Mission Club look like the Ralph Lauren version of this club.
With the elephant as the Club’s logo, a color scheme that bows to the American flag and a common design thread that celebrates innovation & invention, Jay set to work. In partnership with his extremely talented carpenter and with the goal of making interior spaces function for both business meetings and socializing, seven interior spaces were created with unique personalities with a sense of style that this historic building has never seen.
Jay’s three favorite spaces are the Lafayette Bar, the Elephant Bar and the Franklin Dining Room. As a nod to the building’s long history and its namesake, Jay worked to create and 18th century tavern with period millwork, furniture, lighting, colors and artwork. Just next door is a totally black and white bar that is all elephant and has the sophistication of a City bar in London. Close by is a formal 18th century dining room complete with a period crystal chandelier, which is all about Benjamin Franklin, one of Mike Carter’s most important heroes and American innovators.
