Hai Hospitality, the acclaimed Austin, Texas-based hospitality group best known for its Uchi, Uchiko and Uchibā restaurant concepts, announced today that it has signed a lease at 17xM, an award-winning Class A trophy office building in Washington’s Central Business District developed by Skanska USA Commercial Development. The space will be home to Uchi, the nontraditional Japanese restaurant founded in 2003 by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole with seven locations nationwide. It is set to open in late fall 2025.
“Expanding to D.C. is an incredible opportunity for us to continue evolving while staying rooted in what makes Uchi special,” said Tyson Cole. “Each Uchi location is shaped by the energy and character of its city, and we’re excited to immerse ourselves in D.C.’s dynamic culture.”
Hai Hospitality’s architect of record, Zebra, will join Brooklyn-based interior design firm Islyn Studio alongside design partner KPF to create permit drawings for a dining space in the “new modernism” style, drawing architectural inspiration from the location’s neighboring National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Uchi D.C.’s interior will also reflect its Asian roots, referencing the acclaimed 2000 Hong Kong film In the Mood for Love via theatrical vignettes of space and cinematic lighting motifs. The restaurant will have 185 seats, including 18 at the bar, 14 at the sushi counter, and two private dining rooms that can be separated or combined for intimate gatherings.
“The central location of 17xM provides the perfect entry point for Uchi to the D.C. market,” said Mark Carroll, executive vice president of development at Skanska USA Commercial Development. “With Uchi’s fresh and innovative take on Japanese cuisine, I have no doubt that it will serve as an amenity to our office tenants and be a welcome addition to D.C.’s elevated culinary scene.”
The original Uchi, named after the Japanese word for “house,” has served Chef Tyson Cole’s signature nontraditional Japanese cuisine in a refurbished South Austin bungalow since 2003. Accruing global acclaim spanning over twenty years, the menu features hot and cold tastings, sushi, sashimi, makimono, yakimono, tempura and a seasonal omakase experience, all delivered with exceptional service in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
For additional information and updates, visit uchi.uchirestaurants.com.
About Uchi
Japanese for “home,” Uchi is Hai Hospitality’s award-winning flagship restaurant, named after the little red house where Chef Tyson Cole introduced his nontraditional take on elevated Japanese cuisine to Austin, Texas, in 2003. Uchi strikes a delicate balance between elevated food and impeccable service alongside a welcoming and homey atmosphere. The menu consists of hot and cool tastings, sushi and sashimi, makimono, yakimono, tempura and a changing omakase based on seasonal items. Dine-in, takeout and private dining are available. For additional information, please visit uchi.uchirestaurants.com.
About Hai Hospitality
Hai Hospitality is an award-winning restaurant group based in Austin, Texas, that began with Uchi, Japanese for “home,” and so named for the little red house where Chef Tyson Cole first created his nontraditional take on elevated Japanese cuisine. Hai Hospitality concepts now include Uchi (with locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Miami, Scottsdale and West Hollywood), Uchiko (Austin, Houston, Plano and Miami Beach), Uchibā (Austin and Dallas), the omakase tasting room Oheya (Houston), and LORO Asian Smokehouse & Bar (Austin, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth). Hai Hospitality gives each of its restaurants the space to create and cultivate their own identities and supports them in a variety of capacities so that each location has the freedom to grow while still being part of the bigger family — a family that has a common set of core values; a shared vision for food, service and design; and a collective pool of knowledge and expertise to draw upon no matter where they call home.
