KTGY unveils design inspirations behind Dean’s Steak & Seafood
Located within JW Marriott Indianapolis, Dean’s Steak & Seafood is the flagship of the restaurant concept created by White Lodging (one of the largest privately held hospitality companies in the United States) and named after hotelier Dean White, father of White Lodging’s founder, Bruce White. KTGY paid tribute to this family legacy with the restaurant’s redesign, alongside Dean White’s personal philosophy surrounding hospitality. Working closely with the White family, KTGY infused the restaurant with personal storytelling, including family photographs, letters and artwork sourced from the family archives, transforming the interiors into an immersive experience rooted in nostalgia and authenticity. Updated elegant materials and layered, monochromatic tones establish a sophisticated atmosphere, while the layout balances dramatic open dining spaces with smaller, intimate seating areas designed for gathering and conversation. Here, KTGY Interior Design Principal Gina Deary discusses how Dean’s has become a place where nostalgia and luxury harmoniously coexist.
What were the primary influences for the design?
Bruce White approached us with something much more meaningful than designing a restaurant. He wanted to create a place that honored his father, Dean White, and the values that defined his life. Dean believed luxury wasn’t measured by extravagance. To him, it was the reward that came after a hard day’s work: a perfectly prepared steak, time spent with family or giving back to the community he loved. Those simple but deeply held Midwestern values became the foundation of our design. So, our aim wasn’t to create the trendiest steakhouse in America, it was to create a timeless restaurant that celebrated a life well lived. Every design decision was filtered through that lens, resulting in a space that feels authentic, welcoming and enduring.
What were the primary influences for the design of Dean’s Steak & Seafood?
Storytelling became our greatest design tool. Rather than beginning with finishes or furniture, we began with Dean’s story and asked ourselves how the restaurant could communicate his character through space. The design draws inspiration from the classic American steakhouse – the warmth of rich wood, glowing brass, intimate lighting and the rituals that have made these restaurants places of celebration for generations. We then reinterpreted those traditions with a contemporary perspective, creating a restaurant that feels current without chasing trends.
Just as important was celebrating the Midwest. Dean’s values were rooted in humility, hard work, generosity and community. We wanted the restaurant to express those qualities through thoughtful craftsmanship rather than excess. It is luxurious, but never flashy; sophisticated, yet approachable. The experience itself unfolds as a journey. Guests are welcomed by a dramatic display of steaks sourced from Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming – another cornerstone of the White family legacy. From there, they enter a warm, moody bar that serves as the social heart of the restaurant, before moving through a series of dining spaces that become increasingly intimate, ultimately ending with private dining rooms designed for life’s biggest celebrations.
What are the standout features and why?
Without question, the most meaningful feature is the archival collection woven throughout the restaurant. Working closely with the White family, we curated photographs, handwritten letters, business documents, memorabilia and artifacts spanning Dean White’s extraordinary life. These pieces tell the story of his family, his entrepreneurial journey, from Whiteco to White Lodging, and his lasting impact on Indianapolis and beyond. Rather than decorating the restaurant, the items give it a soul. Guests aren’t simply dining in a steakhouse; they’re experiencing the legacy of the man who inspired it.
The architecture also supports that narrative. The long, linear floor plan allowed us to create a sequence of experiences rather than a single dining room. Guests move from the lively bar to a glowing oyster bar, alongside intimate deep-red booths and through varied seating arrangements that accommodate everything from solo travellers to family celebrations. The restaurant continuously unfolds, revealing something new at every turn. Meanwhile, even subtle moments reinforce the story. The wine display features a chevron pattern inspired by the geometry of Midwestern truck tire tracks, a quiet reference to the region’s industrial heritage and the hardworking values that shaped Dean’s life.
How do nostalgia and luxury coexist here?
For us, nostalgia wasn’t about recreating the past. It was about preserving the values that made it meaningful. Luxury at Dean’s isn’t defined by ornament or extravagance. It comes from craftsmanship, comfort, exceptional materials, warm hospitality and creating memorable moments around the table. Nostalgia comes from the stories embedded throughout the space, the family photographs, the handwritten notes, the business history, and the traditions that inspired the restaurant. Those two ideas become inseparable. The past gives the restaurant authenticity, while contemporary design allows it to feel fresh, relevant and timeless.
How does the design feed into the restaurant’s atmosphere?
We wanted guests to feel something long before their meal arrived. So, the layered lighting, deep jewel tones, rich woods and intimate seating create an atmosphere that is both dramatic and welcoming. The restaurant comfortably supports every kind of occasion, whether it’s a business dinner, a couple celebrating an anniversary, someone enjoying a steak alone at the bar after work, or a multigenerational family gathering.
One of my favourite aspects of the project is that the restaurant reveals itself over time. As guests move through the space, they discover pieces of Dean’s story, making each visit feel personal rather than transactional. Ultimately, Dean’s Steak & Seafood isn’t simply about honouring one man. It’s about celebrating a way of life, and the distinctly Midwestern belief that true luxury comes from hard work, generosity, family, community and sharing an exceptional meal with the people who matter most.
