Kingspan Insulated metal panels are being used to make a statement at the historic Maine Avenue Fish Market at District Wharf. A $25 million redevelopment project of the area was completed in 2018, led by developers PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette. The fish market dates back to 1790 and is the oldest continuously-operating fish market in the country.
Sustainability
The owners are pursuing LEED Silver certification; They have taken a campus approach which allows them to use the boundary of the entire site to pursue LEED certification. The Kingspan panels featured throughout the development offer superior quality and high R-values, a critical component when pursuing a LEED certification.
Metal Melds the Old with the New
A challenge faced in designing District Wharf was incorporating new construction into a historic site, which had been significantly altered over time. The development includes six new buildings, all of which respond to a historic structure while balancing the funky character of the pier barges. The design team needed a material that would unify the metal barges with the sole remaining buildings.
Steel columns from one of the historic sheds were refurbished, and together with Kingspan metal panels, define the architectural character, connecting the old and new in an understated manner in five of the new buildings:
- Distillery and bar
- Doughnut shop and cafe
- Two restaurant buildings
- Operations building
Adding Art to Panels
Some of the insulated metal panels are vinyl wrapped, some have a granite finish, and some are even painted with vendor murals to relate to the carnival-like neon signage of the barges.
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| The interior of the Tiki TNT bar includes a tropical mural painted directly onto the Kingspan panels. |
Metal Panels Provide the Finishing Touch
District Wharf utilizes more than 25,000 square feet of Kingspan insulated metal panels, including two different panel types:
- Optimo
A flat wall panel available in a variety of finishes - KarrierPanel
a universal barrier wall system.
