Developers, architects, city officials and residents have been imagining how a major mixed-use development could change the appearance of D.C.'s Southwest Waterfront. But now, with The Wharf's grand opening one day away, it is time to throw out the renderings and take a look at how the new buildings and public spaces have come to life. Bisnow took a tour of the The Wharf on Tuesday, by land and by sea, as workers completed the finishing touches of the megaproject, opening to the public Thursday.

Visitors taking The Wharf's new water taxi will approach the Wharf from the east, taking in the variety of architectural styles as the buildings come into focus.

The first building on the eastern edge is a dual-branded hotel, with a 237-room Hyatt House on one side and a 175-room Canopy by Hilton on the other. The latter will have a public rooftop bar and lounge, Whiskey Charlie.

In front of those buildings is Recreation Pier, where visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards and relax on swings.

The first restaurant visitors walking in from the east will see is Hank's Oyster Bar on the ground floor of the Hyatt House.

Looking west down Wharf Street, the development's waterfront promenade, pedestrians will see outdoor cafés, restaurants and places to sit along the water.

The first street to intersect Wharf Street from the east is the entertainment-focused Pearl Street. On the corner is Kirwan's Irish Pub. The street also features music venues Union Stage and Pearl Street Warehouse, plus restaurants Kaliwa by Cathal Armstrong, Lupo Marino and Florentijn Belgian Bistro.

Moving down Wharf Avenue, the next restaurant pedestrians will come upon is Del Mar by Fabio Trabbocchi. That restaurant, along with Kaliwa, sits at the base of one of The Wharf's multifamily components. The building facing the water is Vio, with 112 condos, and behind that is Incanto, with 148 rental apartments.

The next component to the west also features two adjacent buildings. Facing the water is the InterContinental Hotel, with the 800 Maine Ave. SW office building behind it. The hotel features Kith and Kin by Kwame Onwuachi, Dolcezza, Taylor Gourmet and Blink Optical on the ground floor. The office building includes a CVS, Harper Macaw and Milk Bar.

Directly to the west of the InterContinental is District Square, a public plaza with retail on both sides and Requin by Mike Isabella in its own building at the center. Requin has a fire pit in front of it and a fountain behind it.

The square offers a number of soft goods retail options, including Politics and Prose, the new location of the iconic D.C. bookstore.

Stretching out onto the water from Requin is District Pier. Jutting out 400 feet into the water, it will host events and welcome tall ships to The Wharf.

The next pier to the west is Transit Pier, the landing spot for the new water taxi that will take riders to Alexandria, Georgetown and National Harbor. Also on the pier will be Cantina Bambina, a smaller version of Cantina Marina, from owner Bruce Gates. The original restaurant closed, but will reopen in Phase 2 of The Wharf.

Behind Transit Pier is The Channel, a 501-unit rental apartment building. It will include Mexican restaurant Mi Vida and burger joint Shake Shack in its ground-floor retail space.

To the west of The Channel is 1000 Maine, a 250K SF trophy office building. Tenants such as law firm Fish & Richardson and Washington Gas have already signed on to occupy the space.

At the base of The Channel is The Anthem, the 6,000-person concert venue from I.M.P. Chairman Seth Hurwitz, owner of the legendary 9:30 Club. The Foo Fighters will headline opening night at The Anthem, and other big names, such as Bob Dylan, Lorde, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, O.A.R., Zedd and several others, are scheduled to play there.

PN Hoffman CEO Monty Hoffman and I.M.P Chief Operating Officer Donna Westmoreland will discuss the development at Bisnow's Future Of Southwest D.C. And The Wharf event on Nov. 30.