Project of the Month: DJSA Architects and Acella Construction complete Love Farms restaurant and function facility destination

West Dennis, MA DJSA Architects has completed the design and opening of Love Farms, a new ground-up restaurant and hospitality destination on Cape Cod that combines dining, agriculture, and outdoor event space.

The approximately 10,500 s/f project was developed by Dennis Leary and his son, Dylan Leary, as a farm-to-table concept designed to reflect the character of the Cape while supporting dining, events, and seasonal programming. DJSA Architects led the design, coordinating architecture, site planning, and operational requirements throughout the project.

 

 

The building is positioned to support both operations and guest experience, with covered exterior seating areas extending the usable footprint and allowing for seasonal flexibility. Large openings and transparent elements create a visual connection to the surrounding landscape.

The property includes a rear lawn for live music and events, as well as on-site farming supporting the farm-to-table concept. A partial garage level beneath the building adds to the project’s complexity while improving site efficiency. 

The building layout supports efficient back-of-house operations alongside the public-facing dining experience, with careful consideration given to kitchen design, service circulation, and staff workflow. Open views into the kitchen and prep areas provide the customers with an engaging, multi-sensory dining experience. 

The project also reflects DJSA Architects’ continued work in the hospitality sector, where repeat client relationships and close coordination with ownership and construction teams play a key role in project delivery. The firm’s experience with similar restaurant and hospitality environments informed both the design approach and the overall execution of the project. 

“Successful hospitality projects need to work just as well behind the scenes as they do for guests,” said Zach Silvia, AIA, VP and director of operations for DJSA Architects. “That balance was a key driver throughout the design process.”

Love Farms marks DJSA Architects’ second project with the ownership team, following the completion of the Pelham House Resort and Function Facility in 2020. Acella Construction also served as general contractor for both projects, reflecting a continued collaboration among the core project team. 

 

 

“Repeat projects like Love Farms are the result of strong partnerships and a shared understanding of hospitality operations,” said Ryan LaVangie, vice president of sales and marketing at Acella Construction. “Our team-oriented approach with DJSA Architects and the full consultant group helped ensure the project balanced design intent, constructability, and day-to-day operational needs from start to finish.”

DJSA Architects provided full architectural services, coordinating with the consultant team through design, permitting, and construction. The project team included Acella Construction Corp. (general contractor), Beautiful Surroundings, LLC (interior design), Boston Showcase (commercial kitchen design), BSC Group (civil engineer), Flood Consulting (structural engineer), and Building Engineering Resources, Inc. (MEP/FP engineer).

Founded in 2004, DJSA Architects is a full-service architecture, interiors, and planning firm serving commercial property owners and developers across a broad range of market sectors.

The project team included:

• DJSA Architects - Architect
• Acella Construction Corp. - General Contractor
• Timberpeg - Timber Frame Design and Fabrication
• Topcoat Services USA, LLC - Flooring
• Hynes Landscaping - Landscaping and Hardscape
• Tech Mechanical - HVAC
• Miller Starbuck Construction Services, Inc. - Framing
• Lenox-Martell - Installation of Beer System, Soda System, Bulk CO2 & Blender Box
• Building Engineering Resources Inc. - MEP Engineer
• The Wilkinson Companies - Plumbing