Vola's Dockside Grill + Hi Tide Lounge: Sneak Peek

RENDERINGS show proposed signage for Vola's Dockside Grill & Hi Tide Lounge in Alexandria. Logos for Hi-Tide Lounge and Vola's Dockside Grill.

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Exterior renderings of the highly anticipated Vola's Dockside Grill & Hi Tide Lounge, planning to open this summer on the waterfront, were recently filed with the City seeking permission to make changes regarding signs, lighting, awnings and windows.

The Alexandria Restaurant Partners bar and eatery is eyeing a summer opening and looks to be hiring, according to ads posted online.

Owners of the former Waterfront Market in Old Town Alexandria plan to name the new restaurant currently under construction after late City leader Vola Lawson, a spokeswoman for the company recently confirmed. The company filed paperwork with Virginia to sell wine and beer at the new eatery, at 101 S. Union St., and listed the name on its application.

Vola Lawson was Alexandria's city manager for 15 years and was considered a Renaissance woman for the many causes she championed. She died in 2013 when she was 79 years old. Among countless awards and honors, Lawson was inducted into the Virginia Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2007.

Owner Alexandria Restaurant Partners is overseeing the restaurant with Corporate Executive Chef Graham Duncan at the culinary helm. ARP also has a hand in Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, The Majestic, Virtue Feed & Grain and Palette 22 in Shirlington. ARP reopened The Majestic in Old Town Tuesday after an eight-week interior design update and menu makeover.

Beckmann Architects in Alexandria is handling the design of the new space for Vola's Dockside Grill, according to building permits. Beckmann worked with Alexandria Restaurant Partners on Palette 22 and also worked on the redesign for Majestic Cafe, which reopened Tuesday.

Jody Manor, former owner of Waterfront Market, is also a partner in the Vola's business. Manor recently downsized his other restaurant, Bittersweet. The Old Town Alexandria cafe will continue on in a smaller space behind the current cafe after Bittersweet closes. Sweetgreen is expected to open in Bittersweet's space at 823 King St.