Bringing Life Back to the Dock

With a new design invoking the Old Town coastal theme of Port Aransas, Fisherman’s Wharf is back and ready to serve.

BY: CHRISTINA HUNTER-VILLEDA

Three years later, the Coastal Bend still recovers from the effects of Hurricane Harvey. In Port Aransas, sites and structures were severely damaged after

the Category 4 hurricane hit. Although this tragedy stalled the growing progress of Port Aransas, the community is resilient and has seen opportunities to recover and reset some of the most beloved businesses in the Coastal Bend.

Fisherman’s Wharf was turned into an opportunity for PAFW Holdings, LLC. The new ownership anticipated building back the structures and improving the existing site parking, marina and restaurant, but the new plans also include an icehouse, a fish cleaning and bait house and a second restaurant.

On the water’s edge, the bulkhead, docks, fuel pumps and power pedestals are all upgraded, as well, serving as one of only two locations in Port Aransas for boat refueling. It also houses the Wharf Cat and Scat Cat offshore fishing tours, as well as many other offshore and inshore fishing excursions, nature tours and fishing tournaments.

The new ownership wanted to stay consistent with and empower the old Fisherman’s Wharf aesthetic.

Port Aransas has a pure coastal ambiance. With the help of Turner Ramirez Architects, the Fisherman’s Wharf design concept aligns with the Old Town coastal theme of Port Aransas on the waterfront. The new ownership wanted to stay consistent with and empower the old Fisherman’s Wharf aesthetic and what it used to be known for.

From the parking side, the exterior gray siding with crisp white trim relates to the soft surrounding coastal architecture with the vibrant red Fisherman’s Wharf logo and sign branded on the façade. Although the complex holds modern facilities, the exterior pays homage to the classic coastal cottage. The water side holds the marina with a boardwalk element for people to walk along and enjoy the oceanfront landscape.

The new Fisherman’s Wharf opened in mid-June and serves Port Aransas as it always has for decades. The site welcomes guests into a coastal setting with a second restaurant on the way, Grumbles Seafood Co.

The main goal for Brantley Gwin, part of PAFW Holdings, LLC, is to “bring life back to the dock,” and the Port Aransas community has been very supportive thus far. Although all of the planned improvements are not completely finished, Fisherman’s Wharf is back, new and improved, and ready to serve the Coastal Bend.