About Us
Our Team, Our Mission &
Our Architectural Legacy
BridgesWV was founded by lead architect Matthew Lerfald to unite historical preservation with exceptional culinary hospitality, building structural landmarks that connect communities.
A Landmark Cultural Destination
Bridges of West Virginia (BridgesWV) was conceived to solve a unique regional opportunity: celebrating West Virginia's majestic, world-record bridge engineering achievements while establishing an elite, high-yield hospitality asset.
Our flagship destination inside Huntington's historic 1908 Creamery represents a multi-sensory journey. Visitors can marvel at historic bridge relics, experience world-class dining, relax in our luxury lounge, or explore state-of-the-art interactive exhibits.
Our Foundational Values
The core principles that guide our designs, our culinary standards, and our community programs.
Preserving Heritage
We are dedicated to saving and celebrating the physical monuments of our collective history. By restoring Huntington's 1908 Creamery, we breathe new life into a historic treasure.
Inspiring Innovation
Bridges are more than steel and stone—they are monuments of human ingenuity. We aim to inspire the next generation of engineers, architects, and visionaries.
Community Connection
Just like the bridges we celebrate, our mission is to connect people. We create vibrant public spaces where culture, fine dining, and community come together.
Our Leadership Team
The seasoned developers, operators, and advisors driving the BridgesWV vision forward.
Matthew Lerfald
Founder & Lead ArchitectA visionary architect with over 20 years of experience in historic preservation and modern structural design. Matthew's passion for West Virginia's architectural heritage is the driving force behind BridgesWV.
Steve Sollazzo
General Contractor & Building OwnerFounder of Sollazzo Construction and owner of the historic 519 Bridge Street building. Steve leads the physical renovation and restoration of the 1908 Guyan Creamery building, turning it into a structurally safe and historically authentic landmark.
Prospera Hospitality
Hospitality Operations PartnersA premier, full-service hospitality management firm led by Bob Andrews. Prospera oversees the food, beverage, technology, and service execution strategies for the high-margin Suspension Bar, dining zones, and museum cafe operations.
Civil & Structural Engineering Advisors
Engineering Consulting PartnersSupported by a network of elite engineering firms including E.L. Robinson Engineering (Ed Robinson), Pickering Associates (Mark Welch), and Thrasher Group (Craig Baker). Our advisory partners ensure the structural exhibits, historic bridge relics, and modern pylon integrations meet world-class architectural and engineering standards.