Ace Cafe just days away from Orlando grand opening (PHOTOS)

View Photo Gallery

Years of construction have come down to one last coat of varnish as Ace Cafe Orlando is just days away from opening its doors on May 19.

"It's been a long time coming," Ace Cafe Orlando Chief Marketing Officer Steve Glum told Orlando Business Journal during a May 16 walk through just three days before the British-based motorcycle- and muscle-car themed diner-style eatery will celebrate the grand opening of its first North American location.

The entertainment complex will feature a coffee bar, restaurant, live music venue, an art gallery and retail tenants, all housed in the historic Harry P. Leu site at 100 W. Livingston St.

The rehab of the 3-acre parcel began in early 2015, and faced its share of delays due to the condition of the 91-year-old building. "We chose the location for its history and personality, but there was a lot to restore," Ace Cafe Chief Operating Officer Eric Forward previously told Orlando Business Journal during a March 28 media tour. "We found about five different ceilings layered one on top of the another on the main building, all of which needed to be pulled off piece by piece."

Phase one of the project includes a 14,000-square-foot restaurant complete with bars, lounges and a stage. There is also 18,000 square feet of retail space that will feature a motorcycle dealer, a motorcycle safety gear retailer and the Stonebridge Motorgallery fine art gallery. Phase two, slated to open this summer, includes an outdoor concert venue and Oklahoma Joe's BBQ.

Ace Cafe Orlando already has added 175 jobs to the local economy and will widen the region's restaurant and entertainment choices while adding a lifestyle component that will make Orlando more of a destination for motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts and rock 'n roll fans.

See the photo gallery for the latest look at Ace Cafe Orlando and stay tuned to Orlando Business Journal in print and online for more news from Central Florida's commercial construction industry.

Friday, May 19, 2017

7 a.m. – Julius Meinl coffee – direct from Vienna; tea, and grab ‘n go breakfast bagels, muffins, burritos, croissants, and cinnamon rolls also available.
11 a.m. – Lunch menu is served and bars open, with live music on the back porch
Raffle opens to win a BMW R nineT Racer to benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Register to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
Live painting and sculpting works by world-renowned artists: Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero painting in the Ace’s backyard beer garden bocce courts (opening summer 2017), and American sculptor Michael Ulman
4 p.m. Live music in the car park (parking lot) starts, with live rock ‘n roll lasting well into the night
8 p.m. – Headliner Rockin’ Jason D. Williams takes the stage

Saturday, May 20, 2017

7 a.m. – Open and serving Carbs & Caffeine
Ace Cafe’s Cool Cars for Kids to benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. For a $20 donation per car, participants can be a part of the opening weekend car show and receive a limited-edition Ace Cafe grand opening t-shirt.
9 a.m. – Start the day with Ace’s 4-Banger Brunch
10 a.m. – Free activities in the car park starting with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging Ace fans until 5:00 p.m.
Raffle continues to win a BMW R nineT Racer to benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Registration continues to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
Live painting and sculpting continues by Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero and American sculptor Michael Ulman
4 p.m. – Live music starts outside, with live rock ‘n roll into the night.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

7 a.m. – Kickstart Sunday morning with Ace’s Bacon of the Week with Bikes & Bacon
9 a.m. – Ace’s 4-Banger Brunch kicks off again
10 a.m. – Free activities in the car park starting, with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging motor fans until 5pm.
2 p.m. – Full lunch menu service begins
Raffle continues: win a BMW R nineT Racer to benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Registration continues to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
Live painting and sculpting continues by Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero and American sculptor Michael Ulman

AceCafeUSA.com Facebook & Twitter: @AceCafeOrlando Instagram: @AceCafeOrlando_Official