An inside look at how The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry brought 1587 Prime to life – a Kansas City steakhouse shaped by bold design and SUNPAN furnishings.
The story of 1587 Prime begins long before the first guest enters the dining room. It begins in the dark. A narrow tunnel draws you inward, its lighting purposeful and restrained. The moment feels theatrical, a quiet breath before the stadium comes alive. That was the intention, explains Dani Hauser Nydick, senior interior designer and associate at The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, an award-winning restaurant design firm that led the interior design of the project. “The passage is meant to echo the exhilaration of running onto a football field.” At its end, a softly illuminated display of aged cuts becomes the symbolic light ahead. A not-so-subtle foreshadowing to the feast that awaits.
An Ode to Kansas City
The restaurant is the brainchild of Las Vegas hospitality group Noble 33 in collaboration with NFL superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Every element carries a thread of Kansas City pride. Subtle Chiefs-inspired hues of red, white, and gold infuse the palette. Brass inlays recall yard markers. Textured glass mirrors the grain of a well-worn football. As Dani puts it, “Every detail was meticulously curated to emulate the sport Patrick and Travis love.”
1587 Prime is a modern American steakhouse shaped by clever and considered references to the city, woven into a contemporary interior that feels vibrant yet sophisticated. Even the most spirited details are anchored in refinement, like the sculptural chandelier that captures the movement of a yellow penalty flag midair. “The football culture is intact, but it is expressed through refined and thoughtfully crafted design elements,” Dani explains.
The heart of the restaurant unfolds beyond the tunnel. The bar and the live music stage create a pulse of energy at the centre of the ground floor, framed by millwork patterned with deconstructed football shapes. Lighting plays an essential role in shaping the mood. Dimmer, atmospheric tones guide the entry, while the dining areas open into a warm glow. Dani points to the grand staircase as a favourite design feature. It creates its own beacon of light and becomes a sculptural thread between floors, connecting the social energy below to the intimacy of the private rooms above.
Furniture as a Storyteller
Furniture anchors each of these zones, adding softness and function to the architectural story. For Noble 33 and the design team, seating was more than placement, it was also a way for guests to take part in the design narrative. SUNPAN supplied a mix of statement seating that complemented the restaurant’s refined and theatrical atmosphere including the Heloise Dining Armchair and Heloise Barstool in Milliken Cognac, the Larissa Dining Chair in Napa Cognac / Rhea Light Barley, and the Richie Dining Chair in Forest Green. Together, these pieces introduce warm colours and texture to the interiors.
The team was particularly drawn to the exposed stitching on the Heloise collection. “The stitching mimics the stitching of a football, and those unique details made it feel like it was meant to be part of the story,” Dani shares. It is a small detail but one that speaks to how furniture can carry meaning as well as purpose.
Working within a hotel setting and aligning multiple partners brought its own complexity, yet the process enriched the final result. Dani reflects on the challenge of balancing different visions. “Design often contains a range of differing opinions. Our job is to find a middle ground,” she says. It required attention to the smallest details and an understanding of how each perspective contributed to the overall experience.
For Dani and her team, the emotion guests carry with them is the true measure of success. The open kitchen becomes a stage where the artistry of cooking mirrors the artistry of sport. Fans may recognize familiar references throughout the space, yet the experience remains elegant enough for anyone to enjoy. “A modern, artistic steakhouse captures the same energy as a rousing Chiefs game,” she says, done so through the meticulous art of interior design.
1587 Prime is a restaurant that feels distinctly Kansas City, shaped with intention and uplifted by the partners who helped bring its spirit to life. For us at SUNPAN, we love how seeing our furniture pieces plays a part in the design narrative and experience at every table.
Photography by Michael Stavridis for Noble 33