Completed in 2022, River’s Edge Marina is a unique event experience at Portland’s Saint Clements Castle. Our featured article in the Hartford Business Journal tells the story of the venue and its construction.
Steeped in rich, romantic history, magnificently and painstakingly restored, and now growing in sprawling beauty on the shore of the Connecticut River, Portland’s Saint Clement’s Castle introduces a stunning new treasure overlooking the water: River’s Edge at Saint Clement’s Marina.
The new 10,780 square foot event space is nestled into the riverbank just below the castle. It’s contemporary interpretation of the Norman Manor/French Tudor style honors the castle’s history and beauty while providing architectural congruity on the property. The castle, originally built in 1902 by Howard and Gertrude Taylor, was named for Pope Clement I, patron saint of sailors, when the build had been completed on November 23: the feast day of Pope Clement. Serving generations of the Taylor family as a summer home, the nearly 80-acre property hosted many famous actors and writers, and entertained Middletown nobles including the Camps, the Vinals and the Wadsworths. “It evokes the old world. Saint Clements is ineffably romantic and appeals to the sentimental side of every one of us. It surely does remind us of old forgotten times.” Wrote heirs TJ Palmer and Prudence Taylor Palmer in their 1992 book “St. Clements: the Chronicle of a Connecticut River Castle”. In 1969, the property was donated to Wesleyan University, which used the estate for meetings and events, and medieval recreations. The castle and grounds sadly fell into disrepair and were later sold to Roncalli Institute for $1 million in 1993. Restoration efforts spearheaded by the late visionary, Rev. Edward C. Doherty, revitalized the property, renovating and enlarging the building, and allowing Saint Clement’s to continue Wesleyan’s tradition of offering the property for weddings, receptions, and gatherings. The 15th century Norman farmhouse was meticulously restored and enhanced by Doherty’s appreciation for art and antiques, securing its place as one of Connecticut’s most popular wedding venues and conference centers and becoming a symbol of Portland’s sought-after renaissance.
Doherty engaged local architect George Fellner, AIA of Fellner Architects in East Haddam in 1996 for structural repairs in the Great Room and shortly thereafter to design the Castle’s first banquet space which would come to be known as the Waterford Room. With a shared affinity for the castle and its incredible history, Fellner and Doherty continued to work together on various projects across the property for more than 25 years. When the previous marina facility was devastated by a fire in 2017, Doherty engaged Fellner to create something extraordinary. “In a sense, this facility offers a unique context exhibiting a healthful essence, evoking merriment as well as a tendency towards self-reflection. The objective is to create a setting for celebration which becomes part of one’s permanent memory. The interior architectural design provides a sense of well-being achieved by expansive natural light and exterior views. It also manifests the integration of architecture with the natural environment as one is always aware of the tranquil, picturesque exterior locale.” Fellner explains.
Fellner and Doherty assembled a world-class team to engineer and execute the project, all of which are Connecticut based firms with deep roots in the state. Dutch & Associates of Colchester completed the site engineering while RZ Design Associates in Rocky Hill managed the structural engineering. Consulting Engineering Services of Middletown was responsible for mechanical, electrical, plumbing & fire protection engineering, and Brooks Acoustics Corporation of Vernon managed the acoustical engineering. Saint Clement’s engaged Fortunato Construction Group, a 33-year-old family owned and operated Berlin based Construction Management firm for General Contracting services in July of 2020. The new facility features a grand stair flowing into a warm and airy ballroom with exposed timber trusses, crystal chandeliers, and panoramic views of the gleaming Connecticut River. Fighting through wildly unpredictable labor and material shortages, and material cost increases throughout the pandemic, Fortunato proudly completed construction of Rivers Edge at Saint Clements Marina in June of 2022, just a few weeks after the passing of the project’s spearheading visionary, Father Doherty, at age 86. Fortunately, the incredible legacy of Saint Clement’s Castle and Marina remains in the family. Doherty’s nephew, Peter Callan, is the CEO of Roncalli Institute, and the new shepherd guiding the future of this Connecticut treasure. With exciting new expansion possibilities on the horizon, Saint Clement’s Castle and Marina is sure to be a beloved part of the state’s rich history for generations to come.
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/sponsored/article/rivers-edge-at-saint-clements-marina