ModVic and Stealhead Studios team up to design and build a Steampunk Cannon
From left to right: Bruce Rosenbaum, his son Daniel Rosenbaum, and his wife Melanie Rosenbaum. Photo by Mark Landsberg
After a complete remodel of its lobby and restaurant, the Revere Hotel Boston Common has created a “cannon blast from the past” by reinventing one of America’s first rebels, Paul Revere, as a modern-day ‘Steampunk’ hero.
The décor is dark, moody, and metallic – while the menu sizzles. This new Boston eatery is worth a visit!
The rebellious atmosphere was crafted in conjunction with Dawson Design Associates, an artistic studio specializing in hospitality design. ModVic, LLC consulted on the lighting elements for the 4,500 sq. ft. space and was then asked to contribute the life size centerpiece Steampunk cannon sculpture as the focal point for arriving guests in the restaurant.
As is the case with all ModVic Steampunk projects, the process started with taking a historical perspective. Bruce, with the help of Julian Halpern of Stealhead Studios in Holyoke, MA, researched cannons from the American Revolutionary time period.
The end goal was to blend the aesthetic of colonial warfare with repurposed objects. In this case, the team started with 40” diameter pulleys from a large metal steam engine. These unique pieces added the “S” shaped spokes to the cannon wheels.
Photo by Mark Landsberg
The wheels are able to roll, but for safety purposes the cannon is locked in a fixed position. For obvious reasons, the artists could not make this sculpture fully functional.
The barrel is the column from an old Howe’s Postal Scale, and the handles were repurposed from a vintage funeral carriage.
Photo by Mark Landsberg
Other interesting features were crafted from dairy pasteurizing equipment parts and a large machine tensioner from the 1800’s gave the look of an imposing crossbow – making it appear that the reimagined device could fire an arrow or a cannonball, depending on the situation.
With their antique arsenal in hand, Bruce and Julian spent time carefully assembling the elements into a cohesive whole. The effect was a seamless blending of parts to create the illusion of a functional, quasi-historical device weapon.
To further enhance the authentic look of the era, a patina technique for antiquing metal was used to give an aged, “bluish” steel coloring to the metallic surfaces.
“My highlight from the project came during the install,” said Bruce Rosenbaum. “We had the cannon on a platform when one of the restaurant construction contractors said, “Oh my God, where’d you get that?!” – which made us feel like it had been mistaken for an authentic historical artifact.”
Photo by Mark Landsberg
Since its grand opening in April 2018, the Rebel’s Guild has been reviewed in Eater Boston and other area publications. Between the unique interior design elements and the menu’s new spin on some classic New England cuisine – the restaurant has made quite a splash or… bang.
If you’re in the area, stop by 200 Stuart St., Boston, MA. They’re open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.