river town grill

Situated on part of the historic Henderson Hall Plantation site within a Planned Urban Development outside Williamstown, WV, River Town Prime Steakhouse & Grill offers a design narrative deeply rooted in its cultural and architectural context. The development guidelines mandated architectural homage to the original plantation house, prompting use of brick and stone masonry complemented with deep overhangs, exposed wood supports, and detailing evocative of 19th-century Italianate influences These elements establish a visual dialogue with the historic landscape, providing a sensitive and site-conscious aesthetic.

Constructed during the global COVID 19 pandemic, the project team navigated significant material and labor constraints, prompting a major structural redesign. Originally conceived as a steel-frame building, the design was adapted mid-project to a load-bearing cold-formed metal frame—selected for its local availability and ease of construction in a disrupted supply environment. This shift underscores the design team’s agility and commitment to delivering on schedule without compromising architectural integrity or aesthetic intent.

The space features both indoor and outdoor dining, with expansive views of the nearby river, water-adjacent patio seating, and a lively bar atmosphere River Town Prime Steakhouse & Grill successfully marries its roots in historical context with pandemic-era innovation, resulting in an inviting upscale steakhouse that resonates with both legacy and locality.