Layards Wharf: a fusion of history and gastronomy

From left: Food Studio Commercial Head Louzanne Perera, Food Studio Co-Founder and Vice Chairman Naveed Cader, Big Studio Inc. Co-Founder and CEO Jesse Aston, and Food Studio Co-Founder and CEO Nadeem Rajabdeen  

By Divya Thotawatte 

Exuding a vibrant market-style atmosphere, Layards Wharf by Food Studio was opened recently at Havelock City Mall as a cashless venue, offering diverse global cuisines and flavours with options to suit every taste. 

Layards Wharf is the third food court opened under Food Studio, Sri Lanka’s pioneer food court management company. Its predecessors are located in two high-end local malls; Colombo City Centre (CC) and One Galle Face (OGF). However, Layards Wharf sets itself apart from the previous food courts with its cashless multicultural experience set amidst an industrial-inspired ambiance. 

Food Studio Co-Founder and Vice Chairman Naveed Cader said: “It’s our first white label brand. We say that it’s not a food studio like CCC and OGF because the brand and the product on its own has its own story, and the operation in itself is very different. We have six counters with a very wide, diversified menu offering, as opposed to stalls like we have in other food courts, and it has a cashless transaction point of sale.”

Layards Wharf offers a variety of cuisines including Mediterranean, South Asian, and East Asian dishes as well as grills, pastries and healthy options, catering to every palate. As a cashless destination, it simplifies payments with debit/credit cards, using QR codes issued at a central cashier point for seamless transactions. Additionally, guests can enjoy the market-style experience of watching fresh produce being prepared right in front of them. 

The third food court by Food Studio also distinguishes itself through its thematic attention to the context and history of Havelock City Mall. 

Food Studio Co-Founder and CEO Nadeem Rajabdeen said: “Layards Wharf transcends the conventional notion of a food court. From the moment patrons step foot inside, they are greeted by a captivating market-style layout, with specially designed areas and thematic installations that honour the rich tapestry of the locale’s heritage and flavours.”

Havelock City, built on the historic site of the former Wellawatte Spinning and Weaving Mills next to the Wellawatte Canal which is also known as Layard’s Folly, reflects a rich legacy of cultural fusion that turned the area into a bustling industrial centre. “Embracing this legacy, Layards Wharf by Food Studio pays homage to Havelock’s multicultural roots, serving as a melting pot of global cuisines inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich trading history.”

Layards Wharf by Food Studio was designed and architectured by Kanishka Perera of The Pollen Studio whilst the branding concept and design was handled by Studio Nice One. Speaking on the design of Layards Wharf, Perera said: “It was all about creating this context. And we basically looked at creating an industrial space which was evocative of the industrial space that might have been here. You know, canal architecture, sluice gates, the cocktail brick walls, which are like warehouses.”

The newly opened food court at Havelock City Mall immerses guests in an unmistakable industrial ambiance, with every detail meticulously crafted to evoke the rugged charm of the setting. From the pallets in the ceilings to shelves fashioned from vegetable crates, the space exudes a raw, warehouse-inspired aesthetic. Scattered kiosks offer an eclectic array of culinary delights, while dark, warm lighting and ambient industrial sounds complete the immersive experience. 

The concept aims to highlight the organic evolution and transformations of the site, where Layards Wharf seamlessly blends into its surroundings, evoking a sense of enduring history. In the new food court, guests encounter a fusion of old and new, where history intertwines with imagination, Perera explained.

– Pix by Ruwan Walpola