Pool Table Copies Brooklyn Bridge
Designer Goes Manhattan with new Billiard Table
Holland, Michigan designer racks up sales for Brunswick with "Manhattan" billiard table built to look like the Brooklyn Bridge
Holland furniture designer Dennis Foley took his cue from the Brooklyn Bridge to create the Manhattan, a contemporary pool table racking up sales nationwide for the Brunswick Corporation since its introduction in September.
“It’s selling very well, better than anticipated, since it’s an expensive table,” said Mark McCleary, Brunswick’s vice-president of marketing. “Our entire introductory lot was completely sold out by early fall. We have plenty in inventory now, but it’s being manufactured in limited supplies, almost like a collector’s item.”
The slate-top table, its solid, clean lines reminiscent of the New York landmark bridge, features six stainless steel legs connected by stainless steel aircraft cables and an oversized 7 inch wide rock maple hand rail. The hand rails on both the 8- and 9-foot models are almost double the average width.
At 917 pounds, the Manhattan is two hundred pounds heavier than the average home pool table and comes with a likewise hefty price tag - $14,995 for the 8-foot table and $15,745 for the 9-foot model.
A complementary maple and stainless steel cue rack sells for $1,149.
Foley, 54, owner of Foley Design in Holland, teaches industrial design at Kendall College of Art Design in Grand Rapids. He was one of three designers approached by Brunswick in 2002 to submit plans for a more contemporary looking pool table. Aided by computer modeling, the process took three months from concept to presentation.
“I think people are open to a broader interpretation of what they can put into their homes,” said Foley of the Manhattan’s signature blend of stainless steel and natural maple. “Trends are more accepting of a variety of things, how they’re mixed and matched.”
The updated style appealed to Don Vos when he saw it at a Brunswick dealer show in Florida. The head of operations for Reliable Sport & Ski Haus in Holland, Vos ordered the Manhattan to highlight the grand re-opening of the newly renovated 71-year old sporting goods store in 2004.
“The person who buys this table is going to instantly love it. It has such a great personality,” said Vos, adding, “there are no details left undone. First, most people notice its quietness. The legs are insulated and lined with leather suede. The pockets are hidden inside the legs and each pocket holds up to 10 balls, so you don’t have to shift balls from one pocket to another. And the broader hand rest allows for a nicer rail shot.”
Vos said the steel cabling connected to the legs is a cosmetic feature. Each has a quick release spring as a safety feature “in case a child or pet runs into them,” and the self-leveler pads on the feet enable one person to attune the table alone.
“I don’t know of another table so easily adjustable.”
McCleary said Brunswick went to Foley because of his reputation.
“He’s well known and respected for his contemporary furniture,” McCleary said, adding customer and dealer focus groups helped choose Foley’s “Manhattan” as the winning submission.
“It’s a striking design, so different than the cliché most people have in mind when they think of a pool table that many of our dealers place right by the front door.”
McCleary said professional pool players were invited to test the prototype, “to make sure it still played like a Brunswick.
“And of course it does,” he said.
