Pagan River - Smithfield, Virginia

Smithfield Station
The Pagan River, a tributary to the James River (Virginia's largest watershed to the Chesapeake Bay), terminates in the Historic Town of Smithfield, Virginia. Famous for its rich collection of historic landmark architecture and its historic Main Street, it is home to internationally known families such as the Gwaltney family and the famous Luter family, known for their Smithfield style Hams.

Established on the bluff, Smithfield's view across the banks of the Pagan River is spectacular and protected by the Army Corp of Engineers and the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act. The site for the Smithfield Station and its supporting recreational structures is at the foot of the Route 5 entry bridge to downtown. Right of way access under the foot of this bridge (owned by the Virginia Department of Transportation) was considered as part of the site planning negotiations for this plan.

The plan attempts to balance the need for private revenues with the equally profound need for an accessible, vibrant, and desirable destination for boaters, tourists, and dignitaries from all over the world.

The design team was tasked to be creative and inventive, while being mindful of important existing conditions, regulatory issues, proposed public and private improvements by others, and incorporating public comment. The creation of this mixed-use place sustains itself and brings more life to downtown with amenities such as luxury hotel accommodations, restaurants, boater facilities, dockside bars, pool and bathhouse conveniences, and an executive suite/conferencing facility modeled after the traditional St. Michael's Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse.

The key to the Smithfield Station Dockside Expansion and Lighthouse Conferencing Facility is the water. Water is the "gold" that creates value and becomes an attraction in and of itself. To that end, the plan is of great respect to this and all the waters' edge.