The team behind one of the most iconic venues in live music is setting its sights on a new chapter.
The Hilltop, a nonprofit cultural destination where arts, science, environment, and human experience intersect, has selected ZGF Architects to design The Grotto, a new 1,000- to 1,200-capacity performance space and cultural destination above Washington’s Columbia River.
Conceived by Vince and Carol Bryan, the founders of the legendary Gorge Amphitheatre, The Grotto aims to bring an intimate, immersive concert experience to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking landscapes.
The Vision
Rather than simply building atop the landscape, The Grotto is designed to become part of it.
“We want the environment to be the structure for the architect to work with — not to impose a structure on it, but to look to the environment as it is, embracing the elements where they are, and allowing them to dictate the structure. In ZGF, we found a partner who understands that.” –Vince Bryan, founder of The Hilltop.
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding basalt cliffs, expansive skies, and natural formations of the Columbia River Gorge, the venue will blend architecture with its environment.
The Hilltop also hopes to make The Grotto one of the most sustainable performance venues in the country, with the project designed around energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible material use, and long-term durability.
Why ZGF?
ZGF was selected for its ability to create spaces that respond to their surroundings while strengthening the communities around them. With roots in the Pacific Northwest and a portfolio spanning projects across the country, the firm has built a reputation for architecture that considers climate, context, and community from the ground up.
That philosophy makes ZGF a natural fit for a project where the surrounding landscape is just as important as the building itself.
The Next Chapter Above the Columbia
The Grotto is part of a larger vision for The Hilltop, a new cultural destination being developed above the Columbia in Quincy, WA..
The Hilltop will feature two new performance venues alongside educational programming and community experiences. Its inaugural SOAR Festival is scheduled to debut on August 22, 2026.
The Grotto will offer a much more intimate experience and its setting and philosophy could make it another standout destination for live music in the Pacific Northwest.
Get Involved
Interested in supporting The Hilltop and becoming part of the project? There are opportunities to learn more about The Grotto, support its mission, or get involved as the destination continues to take shape.
Learn more about The Hilltop at thehilltop.org.