Riverfront Development, LLC purchased the historic King Tobacco Building and the Craddock Terry Shoe Factory Building, both turn of the century, multi-story brick warehouses adjacent to Horseford Road and Jefferson Street along Lynchburg’s Riverfront. The goal of the corporation was to save the building, turn them into a 64,000 SF hotel and conference center, and enhance the revitalization of Lynchburg’s historic riverfront properties. Architectural Partners took on the development role while also leading the design team and serving as project architect.
The first hurdle facing the design team was to stabilize and clean the existing structures. Teaming with Lynchburg Restoration and Master Engineers, AP directed the removal of failed floors and roof sections, the insertion of new structural components, the construction of a new roof for the King Building, and the cleaning of all brick and heavy timber construction. Design plans developed by AP then called for the creation of the 44 room boutique Craddock Terry Hotel, the 180 seat Shoemakers Restaurant (fine dining), the Waterstone Restaurant, the Jefferson Street Brewery, and the 6,000 SF Craddock Terry Event Center, along with accompanying commercial kitchens and support space. A motor/court was designed to welcome Bluffwalk Center visitors and to provide a connection to the 6 block long pedestrian lower Bluffwalk Promenade.
From 2010-present, the restaurants and hotel have been rated as “Best in Central Virginia” by the prestigious “Virginia Living Magazine”.