Brinks Coffee Shop, Dallas
Texas
Built in 1964, I think this
is probably one of the best examples of the Mid-Century Modern coffee shop "Googie"
style I have ever seen. This restraunt was Norman Brinker's first restaurant.
These photos are from the early-mid 1990s before it changed owners and became
a Chinese restaurant the buildign is now a "Splash" washeteria. (See
bottom of page.) This building has all the standard elements of Mid-century modern
coffee shop architecture. Huge windows, gravity-defying roof & great stonework.
I would really like to find out who designed this building. Click on the
photos to see larger versions.
The
ramp-like profile of this building with the two overlapping sideways "Zs"
is truly unique. I've never seen anything like this before or since. The stone
wall shooting out of the front of the building dividing the entry lobby with the
dining area of the restaurant is a classic MCM touch. Notice the recessed lights
around the underside of the overhangs.
Here's
the other side of the stone wall complete with wrought-iron horse and jockey wall
art. Mr. Brinker was an active equestiran and was on the 1952 equestrian Olympic
team. Most likely the inspiration for the wall art. The landscaping was really
very nicely done. Notice how the front verticle line of the planter wall is parallel
with the front line of the stone wall which is at a right angle to the roof line.
Super cool detail!
Here's
an elevation plan-view of the entry. Notice the overlapping sideways "Zs"
and the parallel lines of the front of the stone wall and the front structural
members of the entry. Also notice the stepped end of the cement block wall at
the far right of the photo. I wish I had a close-up of the front stepped part
of the wall. I was really impressed when I noticed how the block wall was built.
See photo below for a close-up of the wall.
Another
view of the sideways "Zs." The front of the back Z floats above the
back of the front Z.
Here's
a close-up of the northeast wall. The cement blocks that makeup the wall have
been cut at an angle on the bottom to put all the lines of the wall on an angle!
It gives an optical illusion of the ground being on a slope. I can't imagine anyone
going to the trouble to do something this cool today.
Here's
a view of the southwest side of the building taken in 2002. Prominent stone wall
at the rear extends well past the back end of the rear "Z" to screen
the rear service area of the restaurant. Large angled-top glass windows at the
front where the dining area is. There is another stone wall jutting out to the
side at the front corner. The landscaping seems to have declined quite a bit since
it was the Brinks.
The
Brinks sign as it looked when I took the photos in the early-mid 1990s. Horse
and Jockey were featured here as well just like on the stone wall. Classic wacky
"Coffee Shop" logo at the bottom! The sign is still standing though
the original wording has been long removed. See below.
Brinks Coffee Shop 2009
At least the building is
still intact but it'll most likely never return to is original coolness. Pretty
sad.
Back
to Googie Main
The
ramp-like profile of this building with the two overlapping sideways "Zs"
is truly unique. I've never seen anything like this before or since. The stone
wall shooting out of the front of the building dividing the entry lobby with the
dining area of the restaurant is a classic MCM touch. Notice the recessed lights
around the underside of the overhangs.
Here's
the other side of the stone wall complete with wrought-iron horse and jockey wall
art. Mr. Brinker was an active equestiran and was on the 1952 equestrian Olympic
team. Most likely the inspiration for the wall art. The landscaping was really
very nicely done. Notice how the front verticle line of the planter wall is parallel
with the front line of the stone wall which is at a right angle to the roof line.
Super cool detail! 
Here's
an elevation plan-view of the entry. Notice the overlapping sideways "Zs"
and the parallel lines of the front of the stone wall and the front structural
members of the entry. Also notice the stepped end of the cement block wall at
the far right of the photo. I wish I had a close-up of the front stepped part
of the wall. I was really impressed when I noticed how the block wall was built.
See photo below for a close-up of the wall.
Another
view of the sideways "Zs." The front of the back Z floats above the
back of the front Z. 
Here's
a close-up of the northeast wall. The cement blocks that makeup the wall have
been cut at an angle on the bottom to put all the lines of the wall on an angle!
It gives an optical illusion of the ground being on a slope. I can't imagine anyone
going to the trouble to do something this cool today. 
Here's
a view of the southwest side of the building taken in 2002. Prominent stone wall
at the rear extends well past the back end of the rear "Z" to screen
the rear service area of the restaurant. Large angled-top glass windows at the
front where the dining area is. There is another stone wall jutting out to the
side at the front corner. The landscaping seems to have declined quite a bit since
it was the Brinks.
The
Brinks sign as it looked when I took the photos in the early-mid 1990s. Horse
and Jockey were featured here as well just like on the stone wall. Classic wacky
"Coffee Shop" logo at the bottom! The sign is still standing though
the original wording has been long removed. See below. 
