Newcomer Maya Transports the Beaches of Mexico to King Street

The bones of the former Macintosh restaurant remain at 479 King Street, but the space has a new life as Tulum-inspired establishment Maya, which opens on Friday, September 24.

The Indigo Road group brought in David Leboutillier of the Restaurant Studio to transform the interiors since he is well known in the Charleston area and previously lived in Akumal, Mexico, near Tulum. Leboutillier focused on bring pieces of the tropics indoors with fanciful plants and stripping down all the wood on the tables. He also wanted to focus on the zen aspect he experienced on the beaches and at a yoga retreat in the area — there’s low lighting with sparkling candles and mirrors reflecting a sand-white wall full of votives. The Maya dining room is a subtly sexy spot to showcase the coastal Mexican fare from chef Brett Riley, formerly of Casa Publica in Brooklyn.

The former bar at the Macintosh is stripped down and painted a darker hue.

Edison bulbs are replaced with more modern fixtures.

David Leboutillier says that often times a giant chandelier will just appear out of nowhere in upscale Tulum restaurants.

This wall full of votives is modeled after a fixture in a Tulum yoga retreat.

Breezy curtains and a cactus complete the look.

Inset candles drip wax onto the brick wall, surrounding a painting commissioned by an LA artist.

Maya’s outdoor patio is a bit more casual with beach-y seating, tons of plants from Charleston’s floral designer Sara York Grimshaw, a frozen drink machine, a swinging sofa, and an all-around chill dinner party atmosphere.