In the commercial stone industry, we often talk about “the finishing touch.” But as anyone in the trades will tell you, a masterpiece like the new bar at The Rooftop at Hotel Goodwin doesn’t just happen at the end of a project. It’s the result of months of coordination, precise templating, and the kind of fabrication expertise that our team at the shop brings to the table every single day.
I’ve been in this business a long time, and I still get a thrill when a project of this caliber comes across my desk. When you’re dealing with a high-profile hospitality space like a rooftop bar in Beloit, the stakes are high. You need a surface that can handle the “five-o’clock rush” while maintaining the sophisticated, mid-century modern aesthetic that the Hotel Goodwin is famous for.
For this specific installation, the choice was Cambria’s Ella Luxury Quartz. I love recommending Cambria because it’s a premium, American-made product that offers the look of fine marble with the industrial-grade durability that a busy bar requires.
Ella features a creamy white background with delicate, free-flowing grey veining. In a space with the expansive windows and natural light found at The Rooftop, this quartz absolutely glows. It creates an inviting, luxurious atmosphere that pulls guests in, plus, it’s non-porous and incredibly stain-resistant. Whether it’s a spilled red wine or a stray lime wedge, this surface is built to perform under pressure.
This is where I really have to brag about my guys in the granite shop. Fabricating a bar top of this scale requires an incredible amount of precision—ensuring that the veining flows naturally across seams and that the edges are polished to perfection. When you’re sitting at that bar, you shouldn’t be thinking about the stone—you should be thinking about the view and your drink—and that’s only possible when the fabrication is flawless.
A project this sharp is never a solo effort. We were honored to work once again with the very talented crew at Grommes Millwork, Inc. Their design and installation skills are, quite frankly, second to none. My team and I work closely with them throughout the process to ensure that our stone fits their custom millwork like a glove. It’s a joy to collaborate with partners who value quality as much as we do.
When I walked into the final space at The Rooftop, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. Seeing our handiwork integrated into such a stunning, modern workspace for the Beloit community is why I’ve stayed in this business for forty years.
If you haven’t made it up to The Rooftop yet, I highly recommend it. Grab a drink, take in the view of Beloit, and take a second to run your hand over that beautiful Ella quartz. We’re proud to have been a part of it.
Looking to elevate your next commercial project? Let’s talk about how our fabrication team can bring your vision to life with the best materials in the business.
Peat Beggs
Commercial Granite Sales
Benson Stone Company
