Perry’s Landing Yacht Club
Place-based Hospitality
Hospitality design is no longer defined solely by comfort and service—it is about creating meaningful connections to place, context, and community. Travelers and guests increasingly seek authentic, immersive experiences that reflect the character of their surroundings and leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a boutique hotel rooted in local heritage, a restaurant celebrating regional cuisine, or a resort designed to echo the natural landscape and cultural rhythms, hospitality has become a platform for storytelling and connection. Guests aren’t just checking in—they’re engaging with the spirit of a place. This shift challenges us to design hospitality solutions that not only serve but also celebrate. As architects we must craft experiences that are as memorable as they are meaningful.
Our Process: 10 Steps to a More Meaningful Solution
- Discover the Story of the Place
WMF begins by conducting intensive research into the site’s geography, culture, history, and identity to understand the unique characteristics of the place and it’s community. - Engage the Local Community
Our team engages and listens to the local stakeholders, artisans, and community voices early in the process to gain insight, gather ideas, and understand shared values of the community. - The Place-Based Design Narrative
We identify a guiding concept, an overriding theme – one that utilizes the form, color, and materiality to create a guest experience rooted in the in the spirit of the local culture. - Regional Materials and Craftsmanship
Our designers identify and source local materials and collaborate with local makers to reinforce authenticity, engage the local economy, and support the guiding concept. - Reflect the Environmental Context
We identify sustainability goals and design in harmony with the climate, landscape, and local ecology, ensuring that indoor and outdoor spaces feel cohesive and contextual. - Create Meaningful Guest Experiences
We design for more than function— our designs focus on moments of connection, where guest experiences intersect with discovery and storytelling. - Foster Connectivity
Through internal programming and site design, WMF looks for ways to incorporate inclusive spaces that merge guest and community experiences together. - Design for Stewardship
At WMF, we design with consideration toward environmental responsibility and long-term relevance—celebrating the land and conserving its resources. - Integrate Culinary and Cultural Expression
We work with our clients to identify opportunities to engage with local traditions, regional foods, and community programs or events that deepen the guest experience through a stronger sense of place. - Align Design with Operations
WMF is a strategic partner – we work with our clients to ensure that the guest experience, staffing, and service philosophy work hand-in hand with the design to reinforce the same values of authenticity, community, and context.
The following are only a few examples of WMF projects that reflect this process and our continued commitment to place-based hospitality solutions:
Above & Beyond: Creating Experiences at Oliver’s Rooftop
In December 2020, Scott Enterprises celebrated the opening of Oliver’s Rooftop—a locally inspired restaurant perched atop the Hampton Inn & Suites in Erie, Pennsylvania—both designed by Weber Murphy Fox. Conceived as more than a dining venue, Oliver’s was created to reflect the unique character of its setting, offering panoramic views of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay that connect guests directly to the landscape and spirit of the region. By embracing the local context and celebrating Erie’s waterfront identity, this rooftop experience transforms a standard hotel amenity into a true destination for both visitors and the community. From the regionally influenced menu to the welcoming, elevated atmosphere, every detail is shaped by place. At Oliver’s, hospitality becomes a vehicle for storytelling—an experience grounded in context, enriched by community, and made memorable by design.
Western Hospitality: Celebrating Heritage of the American West
Marabou Ranch is an award-winning recreational use facility located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The ranch, designed by Brian Weber of Weber Murphy Fox, celebrates the spirit and traditions of the American West through thoughtful design that focuses on authentic materials, regional character, and a deep connection to the land. Every element—from the rustic lodge, the river-side guest cabins, the guide center, to the carefully preserved open spaces—reflects a commitment to place, context, and community. This design philosophy of “Stewardship” fosters immersive, memorable experiences that honor the heritage of the West while providing modern comfort and functionality. Rooted in the rugged regional landscape, the facility offers amenities and experiences—from horseback riding and fly fishing to trail exploration and riverside gatherings—set within an architectural language evocative of historic Western ranches. Constructed from regional materials and with sensitivity to the broader environment, Marabou Ranch fosters a strong connection between visitors and place. More than recreation, it is an immersive destination where hospitality, heritage, and landscape intertwine to deliver authentic, place-based experiences. In recognition of its success in blending design, stewardship, and community, Marabou Ranch earned a Gold Nugget Merit Award from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) in 2008 for Best Public/Private Recreational Use Facility. The success of Marabou Ranch to the design of similar projects including the Elk Creek Ranch, Caribou Ranch, and Indian Shadow Ranch projects – all designed by Brian Weber.
A Culinary Destination with Local Flavor
The Market Café & Wine Bar offers more than just a place to dine – it embodies a farm-to-table ethos through both its culinary offerings and its thoughtfully crafted environment. WMF designed the café in collaboration with a local interior design consultant. The café’s interior celebrates sustainability with the use of reclaimed and recycled materials, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflects its commitment to local values. The menu reinforces this vision, featuring seasonal ingredients sourced from within a 150-mile radius, seamlessly aligning design and function. By day, the café serves as a vibrant gathering space for Ohio Savings employees and the Cleveland community; by night, it transforms into an intimate wine bar showcasing a curated selection of regional wines. The design enhances the user experience by fostering a sense of comfort, authenticity, and connection—inviting guests to slow down, engage with their surroundings, and enjoy the seasonal flavors of the region. From concept through construction, WMF’s commitment to transformative design ensured that the final space not only looks beautiful but fully supports the café’s mission of sustainability, community connection, and regional flavor.
An Architectural Beacon: Design is the Literal Destination
The Perry’s Landing Yacht Club, designed by Weber Murphy Fox, Inc., serves as the focal point along a revitalized and growing lakefront. As an icon to the community, the yacht club was conceived as more than a recreational facility—it is a destination in every sense of the word. Drawing inspiration from its lakeside context and maritime culture, the building offers a guest experience that celebrates both the natural beauty and the social fabric of the Erie Bayfront. The upper level features a restaurant, bar, and lounge that open directly onto an elevated swimming pool deck, creating an atmosphere that is relaxed, welcoming, and uniquely tied to seasonal lakefront living. The lower level provides essential amenities directly tied to the adjacent marina, including locker rooms and kitchen facilities, supporting both functionality and guest comfort. Architecturally, the structure embraces its surroundings with decks that cantilever over a public walkway circling the pier, celebrating the confluence of club life and the public waterfront use. At its highest point, a tower with an observation deck offers panoramic views of Presque Isle Bay. The tower is more than a dramatic architectural expression; it acts as a navigational beacon guiding boats to the marina and safe harbor during times of poor visibility. The architectural design reinforces the club’s role as both a social anchor and a navigational landmark – where architecture, landscape, and community converge. Through thoughtful integration of context, function, and aesthetic identity, the Perry’s Landing Yacht Club stands as a model of place-based design, offering an experience that is authentic, memorable, and deeply rooted in the waterfront culture.
