Belle Isle Vision Plan

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past.

The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible. The four key areas are the Hydro Plant, Belle Isle Meadows, Rolling Mill Garden, and the Quarry Pond.

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
© Marvel
© Marvel
© Marvel
The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.
We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.
© Marvel

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

© Marvel
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
© Marvel
© Marvel
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
© Marvel
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
© Marvel
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N10 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N23 medium

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N32 medium

The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N34 medium

We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium croppedExpanded

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N8 medium
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N12 medium
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
2317 N13 medium
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N14 medium
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N11 medium
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Belle Isle Vision Plan

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past.

The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible. The four key areas are the Hydro Plant, Belle Isle Meadows, Rolling Mill Garden, and the Quarry Pond.

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
© Marvel
© Marvel
© Marvel
The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.
We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.
© Marvel

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

© Marvel
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
© Marvel
© Marvel
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
© Marvel
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
© Marvel
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N10 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N23 medium

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N32 medium

The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N34 medium

We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium croppedExpanded

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N8 medium
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N12 medium
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
2317 N13 medium
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N14 medium
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N11 medium
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Belle Isle Vision Plan

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past.

The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible. The four key areas are the Hydro Plant, Belle Isle Meadows, Rolling Mill Garden, and the Quarry Pond.

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
© Marvel
© Marvel
© Marvel
The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.
We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.
© Marvel

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

© Marvel
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
© Marvel
© Marvel
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
© Marvel
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
© Marvel
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Opening the James River waterfront to accessible adventure in the heart of Richmond.

Belle Isle is an island on the James River in downtown Richmond. The James River Parks System and Friends of James River Park are working alongside Marvel to construct a safer and more welcoming Belle Isle, one that celebrates both its wild nature and its industrial past. The project completes the island loop with four key areas to better serve the recreational and conservation needs of the community by providing visitor amenities, conserving native species and habitats, and refurbishing old structures to be safer and universally accessible.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N10 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N23 medium

"What I brought to Marvel was a list of concerns, and the team at Marvel converted it into a list of opportunities."

Kathryn Giles Garrison, Superintendent at James River Park System (JRPS)
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N32 medium

The role of the landscape architect was effectively to listen – listen to the land, the sounds of the industrial past and present, the birds and the roiling rapids, and the users who frequent Belle Isle.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N34 medium

We listened to the stories told about the history of the structures and the advice of the volunteer invasive species removal experts.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium croppedExpanded

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

The Belle Isle Vision Plan focuses on revealing and connecting four anchor locations on Belle Isle — The Hydroplant, the Rolling Mill Garden, the Quarry, and the Meadows.

2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N17 medium
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N8 medium
The design of the Hydroplant allows for public access to a long-defunct structure that was once a critical source of Richmond’s hydroelectric power.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N12 medium
The design of the Rolling Mill Garden aims to open the space behind the remaining brick building face located along the path, encouraging public access that highlights its former use and encourages a new generation of users.
2317 N13 medium
The Meadow is the most highly visible public space on the island, and seeks to create recreational and ecological enhancement opportunities and accessibility for more visitors closer to the park’s entrances.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N14 medium
Accessible paths, reconstructed overlooks, and a destination dock and boardwalk platform create multifunctional spaces for an array of recreational, educational, and social uses at the Quarry.
2317 Belle Isle Vision Plan Marvel N11 medium
The design team envisions a typology of building types that are simply assembled, durable to the environment, contextual, and highly visible for users.

Location

Richmond, VA

Client

The City of Richmond / Friends of James River Park

Typology

Size

54 Acres

Design Team

Tyler Silvestro, Chieh Huang, Mitch Crowder, Tonghuan Wu, Bay Penny, Aki Fangzhou Zhao

Awards

World Landscape Architecture Award of Excellence, ASLA Virginia Merit Award, ASLA New York Merit Award, Golden Hammer Award: Shortlisted