The management team from the Boathouse saw the new restaurant space in June 2009
On August 14, 2009 the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing restaurant opened its doors. In honor of this One-year Anniversary, I thought we should take a look back at what the Power Plant building looked like when the Boathouse team saw the space in June 2009.
The historic building in which the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing restaurant now occupies two floors is over 100 years old. In 1888, this brick building housed the power plant for downtown Richmond’s trolley car system, the first successful electrically-powered trolley system in the United States.
The renovation of the Power Plant building into the Boathouse has won several awards, including the Golden Hammer Award for Best Commercial Renovation by the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods (A.C.O.R.N.). The team responsible for the renovation includes the owner Kevin Healy and WVS Companies (developer), Johannas Design Group (architect), HL Reed Design (interior design) and J.D. Lewis Construction Management (contractor).
View through the kitchen doorwary from the main dining room
When we saw the space in Spring of 2009, the management team was very excited – and a little concerned. We were excited to be a part of this new restaurant on the banks of the James River. But how were we to hire and train a staff for a restaurant that was still under construction? And would the construction be done in time for our August opening?
The staff of the Boathouse at Sunday Park was a patient resource as new waitstaff and kitchen personnel were hired and trained at our Southside location. Some of the Southside staff agreed to move temporarily to the new downtown restaurant so the Boathouse standards would continue.
Somehow, the construction was completed, the staff in place, the new kitchen equipment installed, food and alcohol delivered, and the doors of the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing opened on August 14 2009.
The Rocketts Landing bar, completed and stocked for our opening on August 14 2009
We have had a lot of changes in our first year. But through it all, the Boathosue at Rocketts Landing restaurant has had an incredible amount of support from our wonderful customers and friends. Thank you, Richmond, for a wonderful year. We are looking forward to many more!
ew location, the event staff has kept Sunday Park busy with more than 70 events, everything from baby showers, formal weddings and all day company picnics with a record number of events booked for Nov.!! This same event staff has already put together 30 events at Rocketts Landing with another 24 booked before the Holiday Parties begin. I need to add that the Holiday Parties are booking fast so check out the calendar of events at 
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t Sunday Park, led by Sous Chef T.J. Borawski, visited 
ng regularly about our upcoming specials such as rockfish specials next week, our weddings and events, all the exciting things planned for the holdidays, the ongoing changes at both locations, etc.; hopefully my blogging formatting skills will improve!!