This is the story of Nigel and Laura. Specifically, how they partnered with the spirits of two African lions and a Pennsylvania-based post-frame contractor to take advantage of something special: The thriving wine and beer tasting community in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The resulting Loco Lion is a British-American brewery and restaurant perched atop 26 acres of rolling farmland overlooking the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. And while the business concept comes from Laura and Nigel—and the name from two lions you’ll meet in a moment—this article focuses on a key component of their recent success.
How they got the right building for bringing their vision to life.
If you have the opportunity to visit, you won’t be disappointed. The Loco Lion grounds are nothing short of amazing. In a single building, they manage just about everything they need for an incredible dining and beer-tasting experience.
Because of the unique demands of their business, more regulatory standards had to be taken into consideration than with a typical post-frame building—something Nigel and Laura were concerned about when looking for a reputable brewery architect.
For example, a water-resistant/waterproof brewery construction area, alongside a commercial kitchen, required special attention—something that needs to be planned for well in advance during commercial building design.
Daryl Seibel, project manager on the Loco Lion project, relates that “One of the big things on a project of this magnitude is making sure all the trades are on the same page—from before we break ground, to final completion and walkthrough, as well as constant communication during the build.”
As it turns out, that meticulous attention to coordinated efforts paid off, as Loco Lion was able to make a significant change partway through the project.
Even with the most meticulous planning, you sometimes have to see your space to understand the final vision: walk the footprint, imagine the flow of your customers, get a feel for the three-dimensional creation coming to life before your eyes.
In the case of Loco Lion, Nigel and Laura decided to make a major change to the tasting room—adding an additional 1000 sq. ft. mid-project. The flexibility and shared experience of the Tristate team made the addition possible, and is something Laura commented on after the fact.
“What I liked about Tristate was that no matter how many times we changed our minds, or the few times something wasn’t as expected, Tristate was very calm, sat down with us, listened to the problem, came up with a solution, and gave us alternatives. It was always a pleasant discussion.”
Modern commercial buildings always come with a few surprises along the way—some of which make the space better than ultimately imagined. In the case of the increased tasting room size, the addition came with an unexpected bonus.
The ability to add an outdoor deck on the second-floor exterior of Loco Lion.
“Given our view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and farmyard,” Laura adds, “the extra raised aspect to sit out and enjoy the scenery is really special.”
When our team asked Nigel and Laura why they chose to partner with Tristate Buildings, they shared the following:
“I’ve had experiences building houses where contractors would take a lot of shortcuts. I’d find trash in dead spaces under kitchen counters and that kind of thing. For this project, I wanted to work with a team that would do everything they could to be ethically and constructionally pure to our original plans.
We had gotten quotes from four contractors. What pushed us over the edge was meeting with Kevin and Daryl and hearing about the passion and diligence they put into their projects. Knowing what we knew about other buildings they built together, we went with Tristate—and are very pleased with the result.”
Nigel shares that “Loco Lion is performing well from a business perspective. Everything in the building integrates extremely well—from the tasting room, the kitchen, and through to the production area. We’re very happy.”
To Kevin Weaver, founder of Tristate Buildings, this kind of client success is the ultimate payoff, sharing: “We are not just builders. We’re here to help our clients grow and thrive. It’s just really exciting to see that this building is ultimately doing what they envisioned and dreamed of.”
Long before their first pint was poured, two African lion siblings—Jezebel and Justin—were rescued and brought to Hillsboro, Virginia. The lions became cherished community members, attracted many visitors, and were often provided with their daily meals of raw meat by farmers and hunters in the area.
When the lions passed, they were laid to rest under trees planted on the property Loco Lion now sits on. And despite the Brewery’s name, Jezebel and Justin weren’t “crazy.” The name “Loco” refers to Loudoun County—the beautiful area where the spirits of these two majestic creatures linger.
If you find yourself near Hillsboro, please enjoy the tastes and ambiance of Loco Lion. And while you’re there, take a good look at the building. Should you find yourself inspired to bring your own dream space to life, reach out to Tristate Buildings for a free quote and consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you and building a better tomorrow, as partners.
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