North Charleston, SC (March 2, 2026) – Renowned restaurateur Steve Palmer is opening a new coastal Italian rooftop restaurant in the Charleston Design District at Navy Yard Charleston this summer. Inspired by fishing villages along Italy’s Ligurian Coast, Riva Mare will serve Lowcountry seafood with European influence. Set atop Storehouse Nine overlooking the Cooper River's working waterfront, Riva Mare will be the first full-service food and beverage experience to join the creative ecosystem rising as part of the multi-phase Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment.
A love letter to the Italian coast, Riva Mare will embrace a chic, coastal vibe: lively, joyful, and deeply rooted in la dolce vita, with nods to both the port city of Genoa and the Navy Yard’s maritime history. Designed to feel like a timeless seaside retreat, the restaurant’s aesthetic will blend an open kitchen, warm woods, marine-inspired furniture accented by red and white striped décor, and relaxed outdoor spaces. David Thompson Architects is leading the restaurant’s design alongside Jamestown with Lennon Construction managing the buildout.
Riva Mare’s menu will celebrate coastal Italian cooking with a focus on fresh, local seafood, crudos, whole roasted fish, house-made pestos, and rich olive oils with unfussy, intentional preparations that allow ingredients to shine. Wood-fired dishes and seasonal accompaniments will round out the offerings inspired by the coastal land and surrounding sea. Additional details, including the culinary staff and opening timeline, will be announced in the coming months.
“Italy is an incredibly diverse country, and I’ve always been especially drawn to the vibrant, ingredient-driven cuisine of its coast,” said Steve Palmer, Founder of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. “I’m excited to bring that energy to the Navy Yard and be part of the momentum happening there right now, and for the opportunity to work with Michael Phillips and Jay Weaver."
“Riva Mare will be a new expression of coastal Italian that feels both elevated and fun,” said Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown. “The restaurant bridges the essence of the Italian Riviera with Lowcountry soul and is made for enjoying leisurely afternoons that stretch into golden-hour evenings while soaking in views of the Navy Yard and Cooper River.”
Steve Palmer is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, which operates a portfolio of chef-driven restaurants and boutique hotels throughout the country. Under Palmer’s leadership, Indigo Road introduces concepts with consistent hospitality standards while tailoring menus and designs to each neighborhood and region.
On Saturday, March 14, during Historic Charleston Foundation’s annual Charleston by Design fundraising event, Riva Mare will host an Insider’s Pass luncheon offering 100 VIP guests a preview of the space as part of the Charleston Design District’s programming. Other activations scheduled throughout the day include Design in Mind Lectures by Nickey Kehoe and Michael S. Smith, guided showroom tours, curated design vignettes, and designer book signings. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Forming around beloved brands at Navy Yard Charleston and the neighboring Navy Yard Industrial Campus, the Charleston Design District is currently home to dozens of design businesses and artisan makers. These include, within Navy Yard Charleston: The Urban Electric Co., Floral Studies, Middleton Made Knives, Kate McDonald Bridal, Post Loyal Architecture, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc., Nidum Gallery, Kravet, The Shade Store, Schumacher, Patterson Flynn, Textures, and Artis Construction. Within the Navy Yard Industrial Campus: Fritz Porter, LulaKate, Benjamin Paul Studio, Studio Sontosis, TTS Studios, Sisal Creative, Robert Long Lighting, Datum Workshop, and Robert Thomas Iron Design, as well as Celadon Home and Smithey Ironware Company.
The Charleston Design District is a central component of the Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment, a project led by Jamestown, which is known for its design-focused approach to real estate, alongside local Charleston real estate developers Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development.
To keep up with happenings at Navy Yard Charleston, visit navyyardcharleston.com and follow the destination on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about the Charleston Design District, visit charlestondesigndistrict.com, and watch the destination take shape on Instagram.
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About Navy Yard Charleston
Navy Yard Charleston is a multi-phase redevelopment to transform the former Charleston Naval Base into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood and regional destination that celebrates and amplifies the history and culture of the Lowcountry. Situated on 85 acres along the Cooper River in North Charleston, Navy Yard Charleston includes the restoration and reactivation of historic buildings as well as new construction. Today, Navy Yard Charleston is home to dozens of companies, including designers and makers. In the future, Navy Yard Charleston is projected to encompass more than 3.2 million square feet and feature a dynamic mix of office, residential, retail, dining, showrooms, entertainment and cultural venues, and community green spaces. For more information, visit www.navyyardcharleston.com.
About the Charleston Design District
The Charleston Design District brings together showrooms, innovative maker spaces, and elevated dining experiences across Navy Yard Charleston and the Navy Yard Industrial Campus. The collective design guild—located just seven miles from downtown Charleston on the site of the historic Naval Base—functions as a design resource hub for the Lowcountry and is home to celebrated brands such as The Urban Electric Co., Fritz Porter, Schumacher, Kravet, Holland & Sherry, and STARK. The Charleston Design District serves as a convenient one-stop shop for both design professionals and homeowners alike, offering the most extensive and innovative selection of interior furnishings in the coastal Carolinas. For more information, visit www.charlestondesigndistrict.com.
About The Indigo Road Hospitality Group
Founded in 2009 by Steve Palmer, The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) owns, operates, and manages acclaimed restaurants and boutique hotels across the country. Based in the Southeast and built on a core principle of serving with love, the group is dedicated to shaping the future of hospitality through genuine connections, exceptional cuisine, and memorable guest experiences. Palmer, a multi-year Semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, exemplifies IRHG’s continued dedication to guest experience, service, team growth, and community. In 2019, IRHG was named a Forbes Small Giant and appeared on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, marking ten years of excellence. Since then, IRHG has grown into lodging with a focus on food & beverage-driven boutique hotels, continuing its proven legacy of service with a purpose at concepts in seven states and Washington, D.C. Learn more at theindigoroad.com.
