Waterfront structure
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention: 
     The present invention relates generally to structural arrangements for business and entertainment facilities and in particular to such a structural arrangement located on a waterfront. 
     2. Description of the Related Art: 
     In recent years it has become popular to build retail shopping and entertainment facilities in aesthetically pleasing configurations, sometimes evoking a festival atmosphere. A particularly attractive arrangement involves business establishments located in proximity to a body of water. Examples are Mystic Bay in Connecticut, Harbor Place in Baltimore, and Portside in Toledo, Ohio. The present invention presents a novel waterfront structure providing business and entertainment facilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention might involve a waterfront structure arranged with a plurality of individual business units wherein portions of the waterfront structure are facing a body of water. The waterfront structure includes a plurality of structure segments, each segment including a plurality of business units therein. Each segment defines a pathway segment therethrough such that each business unit of each structure segment in accessible from the corresponding pathway segment, the pathway segments communicating as a continuous pathway. The plurality of structure segments are disposed entirely over the body of water, and there is provided a plurality of land-connecting walkways communicating with the pathway and connecting the plurality of structure segments to the shore of the body of water. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterfront structure in association with a body of water made in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a floor plan view of the waterfront structure of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It is nevertheless to be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, the proper scope of the invention being indicated by the claims appended below and the equivalents thereof. 
     Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a waterfront structure 10 in accordance with the present invention. Waterfront structure 10 is associated with a body of water 11 which can be natural or man-made. 
     Waterfront structure 10 includes a plurality of structure segments 12a-12g connected end-to-end to provide a continuous structure. Each structure segment 12a-12g is arranged with a plurality of business units therein, such as business units 13a-13d in structure segment 12a. Business units 13a-13d and similarly arranged business units in each of the other structure segments are particularly suited for retail business use. Business units 13e and 13f, because of their locations and configurations, are particularly suited for restaurant use. 
     Each structure segment 12a-12g defines a corresponding pathway segment 14a-14g therethrough. Each business unit of each structure segment 12a-12g is accessible from the corresponding pathway segment of the structure segment, and all of the pathway segments 14a-14g are connected end-to-end such that every business unit is accessible from every other business unit via the intermediate pathway segments. It is preferred that pathway segments 14a-14g be in the form of an exterior boardwalk disposed between the business units and body of water 11. 
     Structure segments 12a-12g each also define second pathway segments 15a-15g therethrough. Pathway segments 15a-15g are connected end-to-end to provide an alternative pathway enabling access from every business unit to every other business unit. Pathway segments 15a-15g are disposed between the business units and the shore of body of water 11, and preferably are enclosed to provide protection from the weather for the patrons of the business units. 
     Structure segments 12a-12g are arranged in a generally U-shaped configuration wherein the internal sides of the U-shaped structure face and surround a portion of body of water 11. Structure segments 12a-12g are located offshore and overlie body of water 11. Therefore, land-connecting walkways 16a-16f provide access from the shore 17 of body of water 11 to the pathways formed by pathway segments 14a-14g and 15a-15g. A connecting walkway 18 spans the free ends of the U-shaped structure to provide a short cut pathway between the business units located near the free ends of the U-shaped structure. Connecting walkway 18 overlies body of water 11 and including bridge 18a. 
     Connected to structure segment 12d and accessible from main entry 19 and the pathways via pathway segments 14d and 15d and is an entertainment unit 20 which is located over body of water 11 and is configured to resemble a docked ship. Entertainment unit 11 is arranged internally to provide business and entertainment facilities. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it is to be understood that this description is made only by way of example to set forth the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention which is pointed out in the claims below.