Story

TRINITY Group Construction, Inc. teamed with the Fogo De Chao organization to deliver their sixth DMV location at National Harbor, Maryland. This prime location, at nearly 7,000 square feet, features indoor seating and private dining, an open-air churrasco grill, and an outdoor dining patio with Potomac River and Capital Wheel views. The project is located in the heart of National Harbor, tucked in the lower level of an existing building with open pedestrian avenues on two sides. Existing retail and residential properties surround the Fogo De Chao restaurant, requiring close coordination with multiple property managers and building engineers. The project scope included full demolition of a previous restaurant and modification of HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical systems to accommodate Fogo De Chao’s customized systems. Our project team had to overcome a variety of unforeseen conditions during demolition, including replacing an aging sanitary line to accommodate new equipment. Much of our work to modernize the space and make way for the Owner’s class-A finishes goes unnoticed in the high-end dining space. The TRINITY project team worked seamlessly with the Owner’s team to integrate a wide array of Owner-supplied furnishings and equipment. Our team coordinated the Owner’s kitchen equipment, wine displays, dry-age meat lockers, and indoor bar equipment as part of the build-out. Our trades paid close attention to the quality of finishes in drywall and custom wood ceilings, the millwork, and multiple types of finish flooring to ensure the highest level of the finished product. We coordinated the installation of all restaurant furniture and audio and video systems. The exceptional craftsmanship of our trade partners is evident in every detail, from the woodwork to the installation of the outdoor dining patio and custom features, including the Churrasco Grill, cold bar, and refrigerated wine display. One particularly challenging aspect of the Fogo De Chao project was coordination and installation of the custom, Italian-made pergola. Our team added footings/foundations to the existing deck to support the structure and installed sliding steel doors to the building envelope. A standalone HVAC system was provided in the pergola to allow for all-season use. The outdoor area can be used for open-air space or can be closed and fully climate-controlled depending on ambient conditions, all of which enhance the dining experience. Through collaboration with the owner, designer, property management, and the county, the renovation design was ensured to align with local standards and regulations. After overcoming the initial challenges during the demolition phase, our team focused on further enhancing the restaurant's ambiance and functionality. The project was built and delivered in an aggressive timeframe, with zero disruptions of existing utilities or businesses, and delivered to the Owner in time to celebrate the Spring dining season. Despite the project's fast-paced nature, our team maintained a steadfast commitment to quality, ensuring that every aspect of the fit-out met the client’s expectations.