Right Around the River Blog

The Power Plant at Rocketts Landing Receives National Recognition

Post Date: 06-22-2011

When visiting Rocketts Landing, community residents and visitors, alike, are quick to notice the Power Plant: a stunning structure overlooking the James River. Currently home to the highly popular restaurant The Boathouse, as well as the Virginia Boat Club (VBC) and VCU Crew Club, the building has long-standing ties with downtown Richmond.

Before CMSS Architects (now merged with Hankins and Anderson, Inc. as H&A Architects & Engineers) transformed the structure into a remarkably modern design (led by Rocketts Landing developer The WVS Companies), the Power Plant was an architectural remnant of Richmond's past. Originally built around 1887, the plant first served to power the city's electric trolley car system -- which were also the first trolleys in the country! After the cars' heyday ended, the power plant sat unused for many decades, just waiting for a new moment to shine.

And shine it has!

Since renovating the building in 2007, the architects who worked on the Power Plant continue receiving accolades for their creative, inspiring designs. And in May, H&A was acknowledged with the following nods:

  • Merit Winner, IDEAS2 Award by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

As a winner in the “Projects less than $15 million” category, this award recognized “urban renewal at its best” and H&A was selected from an array of steel-framed building projects throughout the country.

  • Commendation for Architecture Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Hampton Roads Chapter

AIA honored H&A Architects & Engineers for their work on the Power Plant at their 2011 Design + Honor Awards.

Not only are we honored to have such a well-designed building within the Rocketts Landing community, we’re very proud of the creative and hard work employed by everyone involved in the project. So be sure to stop by for an evening at The Boathouse, and see first-hand just how awesome the Power Plant looks -- and feels -- today!