The Occidental
Since 1906, The Occidental has stood as a fixture of Washington D.C.’s political and social landscape, welcoming presidents, diplomats, and locals alike for over a century. Now under the direction of Stephen Starr, the historic restaurant has been thoughtfully reimagined, blending mid-century American elegance with contemporary detail. The result is a dining experience that honors the past while offering something entirely new.
The menu pays homage to the restaurant’s culinary legacy with prime rib, caviar service, a raw bar, and tableside bananas foster, echoing a time when dinner was a kind of theater. It’s a space designed to feel intimate and refined, where atmosphere plays as much of a role as the cuisine.
As part of this transformation, K-array was selected to provide a discreet, high-performance audio solution that could integrate seamlessly into the venue’s carefully curated interiors. Working with systems integrator Ohmcomm, Inc., the team designed a system using components from both K-array and KGEAR, forming a cohesive ecosystem tailored to the space.
The installation includes:
15 × K-array Vyper-KV52 II line array elements
22 × KGEAR GH4 ultra-compact speakers
16 × K-array Rumble-KU44 I subwoofers
2 × KGEAR GS6 subwoofers
One of the most elegant aspects of the project is the recessed, custom-finished Vyper-KV52 II speakers, painted in Sherwin-Williams “Basque Green”, a deep, muted olive tone that complements the restaurant’s color palette. The choice of finish complements the attention to detail throughout the venue, where aesthetics and performance are given equal weight.
The installation doesn’t compete with the room, it complements it. With a careful balance of form, finish, and function, the system blends into the architecture, maintaining the restaurant’s visual language while delivering clarity and control where it matters.
