Our Process

Owned by Starr Colorado Partners, LP and designed by Tom Kundig, the Comedor Restaurant opened its doors to the people of Austin in 2019.  The Comedor is a modern Mexican restaurant, located in the heart of Austin.  This highly-rated restaurant is run by head chef Phillip Speer.  

Brought in to build the project was the Burt Group, Inc., which was founded in 2002.  They specialize in ground up construction and adaptive reuse and remodel construction in healthcare, restaurants, hospitality, corporate interiors and more.  

Chosen to design the property was McKinney York Architects.  The award-winning architectural firm is located right in Austin.  The firm has won awards of the highest honor, such as the Texas Society of Architects Firm of the Year.  The goal at McKinney York is to create places that draw people together.  Included in the design was an outdoor courtyard accessed from inside the restaurant where guests can enjoy the warmth of Texas.  They also had the desire to create a unique glass façade that mirrored the dark brick dimensionally on both outside walls.

Through conversation with GBA Architectural Products + Services, the product selected was glass brick units sized and laid to seamlessly blend with the standard brick units.  GBA used the same bond, mortar and tooling as traditional bricklayers - the only difference being, we use glass brick.  Since the bricks were glass, they presented challenges unlike standard masonry units.  Uniquely tied to the masonry wall, the brick units allowed for undetected control joints and tiebacks where required to meet strict glass brick specifications.  Collaboratively, with McKinney York and The Burt Group, GBA sourced the material, determined the dimensioning detailing, and executed the installation with their skilled tradesmen.  

The goal to bring spectacular light from outside flooding into the inner spaces through the glass brick wall was achieved.  The transparent nature of the glass bricks also allowed the desired, puzzling detection of light and activity from the inside to the street-goers at night.  With the use of light penetrating glass bricks the unique, alluring design intent was realized. 

Architect
Mckinney/York Architects
Customer
The Burt Group, Inc
Owner
Starr Colorado Partners, LP
Product
VETROPIENO™

Main Street Station Gallery

Comedor 06. Comedor 04 Comedor 02 Comedor 05 4209 Comedor 05

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What Customers Say

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"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality.  Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage.  They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product.  Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company

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"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group

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"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C 

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"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler

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"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process.  I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project.  GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting

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"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors