St. Paul, VA: Conceptual Redevelopment Plan for the Western Front Building

The Community Design Assistance Center and Cardno worked with a Stakeholders Committee formed by St Paul Tomorrow, Inc. to create a redevelopment plan for the Western Front building on Riverside Drive. The “Western Front building” included in this project should not to be confused with the “Western Front Hotel” that is located on 4th Avenue. The Western Front building on Riverside Drive is also known locally as “the Deen Building”.

The final conceptual redevelopment plan augments the conceptual master plan for the Riverside Drive corridor that was completed by CDAC in fall 2019 which provides a vision for addressing physical blight and underutilized properties along Riverside Drive. This will help ensure that St. Paul is an attractive, inviting destination for visitors and entrepreneurs.

The final design concept transforms the Western Front building into a lively distillery. The distillery concepts draws inspiration from the 1920s-era bar and saloon history of Riverside Drive as an iconic moment in St. Paul’s past. The distillery and tasting room is a place to have a medium to upscale spirit tasting and dining experience in a small town setting. The interior spaces incorporate visual elements of a speakeasy-esque atmosphere with lounge seating and rich woods paired with jewel tone colors.