The Atlantic and Boathouse - Patrick Ahearn Architect

Set on the harbor at the end of Edgartown’s Main Street, this project turned a tired 1960s eyesore into a shingle-style structure with an appropriately nautical look. Upstairs, it houses the private Boathouse club and, at street level, the public restaurant, bar, outdoor dining areas, and the sidewalk café of the bustling Atlantic Fish & Chop House.

Outside of the building itself, a new wide brick walkway, fresh landscaping, and outdoor furniture now welcome the public to the harbor. These elements allow passersby to better enjoy water views, while also offering a place to sit and dine alfresco. They all worked together to provide a catalyst for the restoration of Edgartown Village.

With its gables, weathered shingles, and awnings, the building’s exterior recalls the late-nineteenth-century Tennis Hall of Fame, in Newport, Rhode Island, which also opens to a busy commercial thoroughfare. Inside, a nautical character pervades the spaces, which feature polished wood, white-painted beadboard, and brass and leather details.

The project wasn’t without logistical challenges: The building is essentially in the harbor, so the site had to be dewatered to create a foundation and basement, and its multiple functions required two full kitchens and abundant additional “back of house” spaces. All of this, however, is carefully hidden from public view.