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[Editor’s note: The plans reflected in the above (and below) renderings from Rise Projects have since been updated and altered].
Back in the early days of Whalehouse Point, campers would stop in to play board games, escape the heat, and take in sweeping views of the Fire Island shoreline.
Then, in 2019, the restaurant burned down in a devastating fire.
But operators Doug and Lee Biviano didn’t give up.
Since 2020, they’ve been serving drinks and fan favorites from a food truck under a tent near the Watch Hill marina.
That chapter is coming to a close.
“We finally got it approved in early April,” said Doug Biviano, referring to a long-awaited greenlight from the National Park Service to begin rebuilding the waterfront restaurant and bar.
Construction is set to begin Oct. 14. The couple plans to reopen by summer 2026.
A new era at Watch Hill
“It took a lot with the National Park Service to get the approval, as there were a lot of things to look at — and be reviewed,” Doug said.
Whalehouse Point sits on federal land within the Fire Island National Seashore, which means navigating a sea of regulations before any work can begin. Biviano, who also owns LoveFINS — the concessioner that manages the area’s marinas, restaurants, and campsites — intentionally delayed construction until after the busy summer season.
“The facility will be better than ever,” he said. “It’ll be current, modern, it’ll be facing the bay and all the deck space will be open, so it’ll be so inviting and welcoming and people will have a wonderful experience.”
The revamped restaurant will feature indoor seating for rainy days, an outdoor bar, air conditioning and big windows that let the breezes roll in.
Doug said he’s excited to serve more seafood and steak entrees — items that are tough to prepare on a truck.
“It’ll also give us opportunities to do better with the menu than what we’re doing right now with the food truck,” he said. “We’ll have a robust kitchen and we’ll be able to do a lot more exciting things.”
He also hinted at more specials tied into the marina, including a “Dock and Dine” program where boaters who eat at the restaurant get their docking fee covered.
Because he runs both the restaurant and marina, Doug said the experience can remain affordable while offering something special for locals, boaters and visitors alike.
“So now when we will have a new place, I would hope it brings more visitors and people who are a little less worried about the forecast and more focused on enjoying the sea shore,” he said.
The couple also credited Rise Projects, DeLuca Designs, Craftsman Fence, National Park Service officials, local law enforcement and local firefighters for helping make the project possible.
“We are grateful and we have this beautiful gift on the sea shore and I just hope everybody enjoys it,” Doug said.
