Fish Shop

Fish Shop has opened its doors on Washington D.C.’s historic Wharf, a new restaurant where seafood, craftsmanship and art come together in a thoughtful, contemporary setting. Building on the success of the original Fish Shop in Ballater, Scotland, this transatlantic outpost celebrates the traditions of the Chesapeake Bay through responsibly sourced ingredients, low-waste design, and contributions from local makers.

Greenway Associates were appointed as Cost Consultants for the project, with Daniel Reid and Ben McCarthy leading our team to help deliver this creative and sustainability-led space.

THE CONCEPT

Fish Shop marks another chapter in Greenway’s collaboration with Artfarm, following our recent work on Manuela in New York. As with Manuela, art is central to the experience. At Fish Shop, guests are immersed in dramatic, site-specific commissions that celebrate both the fishing heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and the enduring inspiration drawn from the sea.

At its core, Fish Shop is a tribute to the communities, materials, and methods that define coastal life. The space brings together responsibly sourced Mid-Atlantic seafood, low-waste interiors, and a layered visual identity shaped by artists and craftspeople from both sides of the Atlantic. From the 200-basket fish shoal suspended above the bar to sea-inspired murals by local artists, every detail reflects the restaurant’s environmental ethos and maritime roots.

Drawing on the original Fish Shop in Ballater, Scotland, the design strongly incorporates traditional Scottish elements, subtly linking Ballater’s heritage to the Wharf’s waterside setting.

THE PROJECT

Fish Shop occupies a prominent site on The Wharf, part of the major redevelopment of Washington’s Southwest Waterfront. This revitalised district blends restaurants, cultural venues, public spaces and independent retailers along a mile-long stretch of the Potomac River. The restaurant spans both ground floor and mezzanine levels, with a full fit-out required to transform the space from its original core and shell condition.

The fit-out reflects the ethos of sustainability: reclaimed and natural materials, artist-led installations, and a low-waste design approach shaped every aspect of the project. We had the pleasure of once again working alongside Russell Sage Studio, who delivered a design that is both visually rich and environmentally conscious, using sustainable finishes, furniture and lighting throughout.

Our early involvement proved essential in managing a wide range of complex variables. The ambition was clear: to create a restaurant where food, art and context converge. But delivering that vision required rigorous cost control, close coordination between UK-based and US-based teams, and constant flexibility across the construction programme.

THE CHALLENGES

As with other Artfarm projects, where art is not simply decoration but embedded into the DNA of the space, one of the defining features of Fish Shop also proved to be one of the most logistically complex: the integration of bespoke, artist-led installations into a live construction programme. Daniel Reid recalls one particularly intricate aspect - the installation of the 200-basket fish shoal suspended above the bar. Installation required the artist to be present onsite, guiding the positioning of each element. This meant careful coordination with trades and contractors, and often extended periods of access solely for artistic work.

From a cost consultancy perspective, managing these unique installations required both flexibility and foresight. Specialist pieces often come with variable lead times, bespoke fabrication costs, and evolving technical requirements. Balancing these unknowns while protecting the overall budget was a key achievement. Early-stage planning, open communication with the artist team, and a detailed procurement strategy helped keep the project on track without compromising on creative ambition.