At Riverwalk Resort in Lincoln, NH, Macy Industries found a way forward—by going sideways.
As the resort prepared for its grand opening in June 2024, the Macy team was called in for a large, 17-foot kitchen hood installation. The new kitchen had no vertical clearance and didn’t leave much room for error. Here’s how our team got the job done right.
A High-Performance Exhaust System for a Luxury Resort Kitchen
Located in the heart of the White Mountains, Riverwalk Resort is a year-round vacation destination with luxury suites, private residences, an on-site winery, and two full-service restaurants.
To support this level of activity, the resort needed a complete kitchen exhaust system built to handle high-volume cooking, without compromising safety or compliance.
The scope of the project included:
- A 17-foot CaptiveAire kitchen hood installation
- Welded grease ducting from the hood to the exterior
- A rooftop exhaust fan and louver
- A makeup air system to replace the air pulled out by the hood
Because this is a grease-producing kitchen, the entire system has to meet strict NFPA fire safety standards. This meant using fully welded 16-gauge steel ducting, pitching the duct properly for grease drainage, and wrapping it in fire-rated insulation after we completed the install. The welds themselves had to pass light testing and inspection by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal before final approval.
And due to the building layout, none of the venting could go straight up. The duct had to travel laterally across the space to exit through a dormer on a lower roof—a solution designed in coordination with the general contractor.
A Full In-House Build and On-Site Install
Macy’s ability to handle every phase of the project, from the initial CAD planning to the final installation, kept the process running smoothly and ensured every piece came together exactly as planned.
A Collaborative Design Process
To reroute the duct laterally, Macy worked closely with CaptiveAire engineers, state officials, and the general contractor. The team calculated duct sizing and airflow, ensured proper slope for grease drainage, and coordinated a layout that would meet fire codes without disrupting the kitchen’s footprint or the building’s architecture.
Our In-House Fabrication Capabilities
Once the design was finalized, we fabricated all welded 16-gauge steel grease ducting, along with the structural hangers required to support the 17-foot hood. The makeup air system involved lighter-gauge ducting, which we also built in our New Hampshire fabrication shop. Because we control the materials and methods in-house, we were able to ensure the entire kitchen exhaust system met code and adapt quickly when site conditions changed.
A Creative Approach to Installation
With fabrication complete, we delivered the entire system to the Riverwalk site and began installation. We used custom lift jacks to raise the kitchen hood into place and secured it to the hangers. Our team welded the duct sections together on-site, using mirrors in tight spaces where direct access wasn’t possible. After a full inspection and light testing by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal, we wrapped all grease ducting in fire-rated insulation and completed the makeup air connections.
Why a Full-Service Team Made All the Difference
This kitchen exhaust system project is a great example of how Macy’s full-service approach supports successful outcomes—especially when the job calls for custom solutions, tight coordination, and zero room for error.
By handling everything in-house, Macy Industries helped Riverwalk Resort open its doors on time with a kitchen exhaust system that’s built to perform safely and efficiently. In fact, the resort was so pleased with the outcome, they’ve since invited our team back to install a new 30-foot system in another area of the building.
When projects require precision, coordination, and creative problem-solving, the team at Macy Industries shines. Do you have a complex metal fabrication or HVAC project coming up? Let’s talk about how our team can support your build from start to finish.