Smoke On The Water, a bar and restaurant sited to capture uninterrupted views of the Cape Fear River, welcomes in maritime breezes and ephemeral coastal light conditions. To maintain a close connection to the serene natural riverfront site, wide wraparound porches and garage doors opening into the restaurant space blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors. Deep overhangs provide shade, and the outdoor deck with rocking chairs and fire pit contribute to an atmosphere of Southern hospitality to encourage relaxation by the water.

The riverfront restaurant is part of a 1,300 acre planned community and supports over 2000 residential units. The owners wanted the building to be rooted in its site and to feel timeless, with traditional local materials and detailing to create an inviting space for patrons. The footprint rests in a natural clearing, a design decision which minimized site disruption and preserved as many trees as possible. The building is as close to the water as environmental conditions allow, connecting to a waterfront boardwalk for easy pedestrian access to nearby residential neighborhoods. The generous front porch overlooks a community park.

LS3P master planned the new RiverLights development and designed multiple community buildings that were phased, including the Club House, Amenity Center and two Mixed-Use Buildings.