Robinson Landing Plans for Waterfront Restaurant and Pier

Robinson Landing Fulfilling Alexandria Waterfront Plan with Restaurants and Pier Activation

By Mary Wadland

ALEXANDRIA,VA- Momentum continues at Robinson Landing in Old Town as the first condominium building rises above ground, nearly half of the townhomes are occupied or ready for move-ins and plans for onsite dining to be operated by Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) have been approved by the City of Alexandria.

The waterfront community, located on the city block bounded by the Potomac River, S. Union, Duke, and Wolfe streets, remains on schedule to be completed mid-2020.

Plans call for a fine dining restaurant and café both overlooking the water with an open air-seating concept that will activate the Robinson Landing Pier. “I think this is what we spent a great deal of time trying to get to during the waterfront planning process,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “This is actually what we envisioned, and I’m pretty excited to see it come to fruition.”

Alexandria Restaurant Partners to Open Two Eateries

ARP, which successfully operates six unique restaurant concepts in Alexandria, plans a 5,000-square-foot, ground floor, fine dining space with sweeping views of the Potomac in the condominium building where Duke Street crosses The Strand along the new waterfront promenade.

The restaurant will offer indoor seating for 184 with 83 additional seats on an outdoor patio. ARP founding partner Scott Shaw said they are developing a chef-driven concept with a wood-fired kitchen serving grilled seafood, top quality steaks, signature vegetarian dishes and an extensive wine list.

The second restaurant is a casual Mediterranean concept that combines a small year-round operation in a second condominium building with a 232-seat outdoor area on Robinson Landing’s renovated pier. The menu will feature small and shared plates from Spain, Turkey and Greece along with wines from the region.

The year-round café will have 32 indoor seats with another 32 outdoor. It will also serve as the prep kitchen for the pier seats and house restrooms for outdoor patrons and the general public. The pier will have a small portable finish grill adjacent to the seating area.

Floating Docks and Entertainment

Other areas of the pier will include floating docks for transient boaters and space for public seating and entertainment.

Alexandria Planning Commission Chairman and Waterfront Commission Member Nathan Macek, believes the restaurants will establish Robinson Landing as the southern anchor to the Alexandria waterfront.

“This activation of these spaces is the fulfillment of what we had hoped would happen when the waterfront plan was adopted,” he said at the March 5 Planning Commission meeting. “This is a very deliberate attempt by this Strand area of the waterfront to make it activated and to provide some attractions that would draw people and draw out visitors to this area.”

Shaw expects Robinson Landing to be a popular spot for local diners.

“The restaurants will succeed based on our winning the loyalty of the people who live nearby and can walk to the restaurants from neighborhoods in the old historic district,” he said.

Win Sheridan, a lifelong Alexandrian and future Robinson Landing resident, expressed his support, “I couldn’t be more excited and proud of how Old Town is growing and evolving, especially along our waterfront.” Expanding, he said, “One of the main reasons I made the decision to buy at Robinson landing was their plan to add high quality restaurants. Alexandria Restaurant Partners already has a great track record and reputation, and I have no doubt they will open places that Old Town will be proud to call its own.”

The Residences

Residential construction and site development at Robinson Landing is moving rapidly.T he first of three, five-story condominium buildings is rising above Wolfe Street. Above ground construction on the remaining two buildings begins later this spring. When completed, there will be a total of 70 condominiums and 26 townhomes residences.

“The community is taking shape,” said Evan Goldman, Vice President of EYA LLC, Robinson Landing’s lead developer, “and everyone in Alexandria is beginning to see how Robinson Landing is delivering on the City’s larger plan to beautify and enliven this previously undeveloped area of the waterfront.

For more information about Robinson Landing and to visit the sales center and model home, call 703-457-9980 or go to www.robinsonlanding.com