Artisan Contracting served as the general contractor for the build-out of Café Sous Terre, a basement-level café and cocktail bar located in Detroit. This unique hospitality project transformed an underground commercial space into an intimate, design-forward destination offering specialty coffee service by day and craft cocktails by night.

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The scope of work included a full interior tenant build-out featuring custom bar and café counter construction, commercial kitchen and prep areas, back-of-house support spaces, millwork, tile, flooring, feature lighting, and coordinated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Given the below-grade location, the project also required careful attention to ventilation, lighting design, moisture control, and efficient spatial planning to ensure a comfortable and functional guest environment.

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Artisan Contracting worked closely with the ownership team, designers, and trade partners to bring the concept to life, balancing the dual-purpose nature of the space. The layout was carefully developed to support daytime café operations while seamlessly transitioning into an evening cocktail service, with an emphasis on flow, flexibility, and atmosphere.

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The completed space, Café Sous Terre, is recognized as a distinctive underground hospitality experience in Detroit, offering a warm, moody interior that contrasts its urban surroundings. The design highlights layered lighting, refined finishes, and a cohesive environment that supports both coffee culture and evening social gatherings.

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This project showcases Artisan Contracting’s expertise in café construction, cocktail bar build-outs, adaptive reuse interiors, commercial tenant improvements, and complex urban hospitality spaces throughout Metro Detroit. Each project is delivered with a focus on craftsmanship, coordination, and creating memorable, highly functional hospitality environments tailored to the client’s vision.