THE TEAM

We are thrilled that our team continues to grow as we do. If you’d like to explore joining the Pier450 family, you can apply for a job here.

Peggy Binzel

OWNER & PROPRIETOR

Peggy is the principal owner of Pier450. A long-time love of and experience in refurbishing old houses — and a career as a lobbyist — collided to create the perfect opportunity here. The project has required virtually all of Peggy’s varied talents to, first, envision the property, then get us through all the permitting, variances and approvals for needed infrastructure improvements to a 70 year-old waterfront property that lies in the “critical area” of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. (She can tell you more about the myriad of community, county and state officials who have helped and supported us along the way!)

 

Peggy has been a hands-on developer on this project from day one, doggedly fighting to bring Pier450 to life. At the same time, her extraordinary (and slightly eccentric) design aesthetic and vision for restoration have ensured this place has become one of beauty and exceptionalism.

 

Peggy grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Baylor University in Texas, all before making her way to Washington, DC and, ultimately, Maryland. In her “day job,” she is Principal at Twenty-First Century Group and was formerly in executive positions at Cogent Strategies and Podesta Group, both government relations/lobbying firms in Washington, DC. She has also held senior positions at Turner Broadcasting and News Corp.

 

From Oklahoma to Ridge — and a little bit of everywhere in between. Peggy is now proprietor, restaurateur and visionary of and for all that is Pier450.

Cathy Austin

PARTNER, BRAND MARKETER, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Cathy signed on to Peggy’s Big Adventure in its very early stages as brand developer and marketer — to help bring the “brand” to life and build a receptive audience for it. (In her day job, she is President of Loop9 Marketing, a branding and marketing firm based just outside of Washington.) As with most any entrepreneurial project, Cathy’s role has expanded and evolved to now also include landscape design (a side hobby), overseeing front-of-the-house set up for the restaurant (harkening back to a much earlier career in the restaurant business) and various aspects of the property’s experiential and merchandising efforts. She is now a part owner of the project and all-in contributor.

 

Pier450 is a lucky convergence of many of Cathy’s professional experiences and personal interests. She and Peggy have worked (and played) together in various capacities for more than twenty years, making the partnership in Pier450 a logical extension of their business relationship and personal friendship.

 

Originally from North Carolina, Cathy moved to DC more than 30 years ago and today splits her time between her home in Falls Church, VA and the house right here on the property that she and Peggy share. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Carlos Gomez-Starnes

MASTER CHEF

Carlos is Master Chef at POV. He joined the project in late 2019, working with Peggy to design the kitchen and with the team as he crafted a menu that combines local flavors and favorites with his appreciate for world cuisines and influences. The menu was created with input from the local community and combines locally sourced seafood, meats, produce and more, with fun and sophisticated preparations for every palette.

 

Chef Carlos oversees our kitchen and will ultimately build Pier450’s catering operations. He is a lover of food who loves to make people happy…with food. His brand of hospitality is about warmth and community, equally at the core of the Pier450 experience.

 

Carlos is currently the Chef-in-Residence at Twenty-First Century Group in Washington, DC (yep, the same place Peggy works). He previously served as chef at the Mayflower and Hay-Adams Hotels, both in Washington. During his 30-year career, he has worked as a bistro chef in Boston and had his own catering operation. He was born and grew up in Colombia, South America.

Paul Haynes

CURATOR & DESIGNER

Paul has been working with Peggy for nearly a decade, curating and designing the interiors for the Scotland Yards properties and other projects. His keen eye and eclectic design aesthetic have proved instrumental in turning Pier450 into a both visually dynamic and relaxing atmosphere.

 

Paul’s talent is part innate artistry and partly curated, itself, from years of experience — as Principal of Harrison Norris, his interior design company, art gallery and home store; as a store designer for Crate & Barrel, the ubiquitous home retailer; and as a photographer for the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. One only has to look at the rooms at The Quarters at Pier450, at the POV Restaurant interiors, or any of the houses in the Scotland Yards portfolio to experience his unique style and commitment to comfort — and “wow.”

 

Paul also curates and runs The Chandlery boutique shop at Pier450, which features a surprising mix of “found finds,” artwork, jewelry, clothing, edibles, health & beauty items and branded merchandise.

 

Paul grew up in Tennessee. He studied at Middle Tennessee State University and at the University of Tennessee at Nashville.




 

Arrival & Departure

Check in is at 3:00 p.m. and check out at 11:00 a.m. We guarantee your room will be ready by 3:00 on the day of your arrival. If you arrive early, you’re free to enjoy the property, including the restaurant (you'll find the restaurant/bar hours here), pier, beach and firepits. We will try to accommodate early check ins/late check outs within an hour of our stated times where possible — ask your guest services manager prior to your arrival/departure.

 

Reservations & Payments

We are a contactless motel — that is, there isn’t an onsite innkeeper to greet you or take payment information. To alleviate the need to repeatedly contact you for credit card information prior to your stay, 100% of your payment will be charged at the time you make your reservation. A confirmation letter will be sent when we receive payment. For other payment arrangements, please email or call us.

 

Advance reservations are required. There is no one onsite to accommodate walk-ins.

 

Cancellations

We are a very small motel and cancellations affect us significantly. As such, we need to adhere to a strict cancellation policy. Payments for single rooms are refundable if cancelled more than 10 days prior to your stay, minus a $25 processing fee. If your reservation is cancelled within 10 days of your arrival date, 50% of your fee will be forfeited.

 

Payments for groups booking more than three rooms are refundable if cancelled more than 30 days prior to your arrival date, minus a $50 processing fee. If your multi-room reservation is cancelled within 30 days of your arrival date, 50% of your fee will be forfeited.

 

Innkeeping Services

We don’t have a lobby with a front desk or an onsite concierge. That said, we do have lots of people whose jobs are to make sure you have fun and that your stay is as comfortable as possible. Your confirmation letter and subsequent communications will provide you with details for how to contact our guest services manager if you have questions or need assistance. We can also direct you to information about local attractions and resources.

 

In-Room & Onsite Food Preparation

A mini refrigerator with freezer and Keurig coffee maker are provided in each room. For safety and the comfort of other guests, other cooking appliances are not permitted in or outside of the motel, including grills. Several Keurig pods are provided each day of your stay.

 

Personal Belongings

To ensure everyone’s enjoyment of our small property and lovely views, we ask that you not leave personal belongings in front of the motel while you are in your room or away from the property, including, but not limited to, chairs, clothing, towels, beverage containers, etc. Trash cans are provided in your room and are placed throughout the property for your use.

 

Pets

We allow pets at The Quarters — with a few conditions:

  1. When at all possible, please take them with you when you’re out and about so they don’t disturb other guests pining for your return.
  2. A $25 cleaning fee per pet is payable when you make your reservation. For guests who forget to report pets prior to arrival, we'll simply charge the card on file.
  3. Dogs must be kept on a leash when outside on the property.
  4. Please pick up after your pet and properly dispose of waste.

 

Property Amenities 

Guests of The Quarters at Pier450 may enjoy use of our beach, pier, beach firepits and kayaks. Use of these amenities is solely at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety.

 

  • Kayak Use
    PFDs/Lifejackets and oars are provided by Pier450 for use with the kayaks. All guests are responsible for wearing PFDs while using the boats. Guests acknowledge that kayaking on open water can be dangerous. It is your responsibility to determine your skill level and the sufficiency of any safety gear or other precautions necessary to minimize the risk of the activity. Guest expressly assumes the risk of personal injury and loss or damage to personal property when using the kayaks.

 

  • Property Damage & Theft
    Guests of the motel are responsible for their own personal property. Pier450 is not responsible for lost or stolen property.Guests will be charged for damage to the property during their stay beyond normal wear and tear, and for property stolen from the premises. This may also include charges for the cleaning of excessive stains. Cigarette smoking and vaping, as noted above, are forbidden and will result in a $250 cleaning fee.

 

  • (Mini) Resort Fee
    The mini resort fee of $10/night helps us maintain the grounds and gardens at Pier450 and the amenities we offer to our motel guests — round-the-clock access to the beach, use of the kayaks and firepits (there is no charge for motel guests), wifi and more.

 

Country Septic

It's a fact of life in the country: We are not on a municipal septic system. While we have installed a best-in-class system, these simply aren't designed for some things. Please flush only toilet paper — no wipes, towels, kleenex or sanitary products.

 

Fishing & Crabbing

Pier450 is a multifaceted resort with guests who enjoy the property in a variety of ways. To ensure the enjoyment of all, we have limited fishing or crabbing off the pier to guests of The Quarters ONLY, and only when the restaurant and/or outdoor bar are not open. "Leave no trace" — please make sure to clean up any remnants of your activities so they aren't unpleasant to other guests nor invite predators.

Off-hours fishing and crabbing are limited to our guests only and not to other friends or family. Outside visitors will be considered trespassers and will be asked to leave the property.

 

Photography

Our property guests are welcome to take personal photos during their stay. (In fact, we encourage you to share your positive experiences on social media — just don't forget to tag us! Facebook and Instagram.

 

Click here for information about staged or posed shoots.

 

Drugs & Firearms

We are a drug-free property. Anyone suspected of having, using or distributing illegal substances on the property will be asked to leave immediately. Firearms and weapons of any kind or not allowed on the property.

 

Occupancy

Room occupancy is limited to the number of beds available unless approved by management prior to your visit — that is, two people per double, queen or king-sized bed. Guests who do not adhere to this policy may be asked to leave. Booking fees will not be refunded.

 

Motel guests must be at least 25 years of age to book a room at The Quarters motel.

 

BAR ONLY

Happy Hour

3-5 pm, 9-11 pm

Tuesday - Sunday

 

SELECT HOUSE WINES $6

SELECT DRAFT BEERS $5

SUN10am-8pm
Brunch available until 3:45pm
OPEN 'til 9pm
MONCLOSEDCLOSED
TUES4-8pm:
Light Fare + Comfort Food
OPEN 'til 9pm
WED4-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
THURS4-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
FRI3-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
SAT11am-9pmOPEN 'til 11pm

SUN10am-8pm
Brunch available until 3:45pm
OPEN 'til 9pm
MONCLOSEDCLOSED
TUES4-8pm:
Light Fare + Comfort Food
OPEN 'til 9pm
WED4-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
THURS4-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
FRI3-9pmOPEN 'til 10pm
SAT11am-9pmOPEN 'til 11pm