The transformation of San Diego’s most iconic waterfront restaurant sites began today, as The Port of San Diego and The Brigantine Restaurant Group celebrated the start of construction on The Brigantine’s 42,000 square-foot Portside Pier restaurant development project in the site long occupied by Anthony's Fish Grotto in downtown San Diego's North Embarcadero.
In 2015, San Diego's nearly 50 year old Brigantine Restaurant Group beat out proposals from longtime tenant Anthony's Fish Grotto and another from Sunroad Enterprises that included restaurants by the Cohn Restaurant Group (Blue Point) and CH Projects (Craft & Commerce) to get awarded the redevelopment deal on the prime downtown waterfront project. After more than 70 years serving seafood on San Diego Bay, Anthony's Fish Grotto closed its downtown location after service on Tuesday, January 31.
"We are thrilled to see this project get underway. Portside Pier will have something for everyone, but the best of all will be the first-rate views of San Diego Bay and free access for the public to enjoy those views," said Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Rafael Castellanos. "I’m certainly going to enjoy some delicious meals and one-of-a-kind sunsets here with family and friends!"
Portside Pier will offer a variety of dining options at different price points - from fresh seafood at Brigantine on the Bay, to authentic Mexican flavors at Miguel’s Cocina, to pub fare at Ketch Grill & Taps (which is also installing a location in Point Loma), and walk-up service at Portside Gelato and Coffee. In addition, the public will enjoy panoramic views of San Diego Bay with free access to a second level perimeter walkway and a viewing deck that will have tables and seating for up to 108 visitors. There will also be an expanded dock and dine to accommodate up to four vessels.
"The Brigantine Restaurants have been serving San Diego for nearly 50 years," said Mike Morton, Jr., President and CEO of The Brigantine, Inc. "We look forward to being a part of all there is to see and do in the downtown area and on San Diego Bay, as well as getting to know our neighbors and making memories with visitors from across the country and around the world."
Construction crews will soon begin driving piles into San Diego Bay, upon which the deck of the first level will be formed and installed. The pilings and platform substructure will take approximately four months to complete. Pile driving will occur intermittently between the hours of 7am and 7pm, and may cause noise impacts. The contractor will utilize lesser-impact means of pile driving as much as possible in order to minimize noise. After that, construction of the two-story restaurant facility, dock and dine, and street improvements to align with the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan will continue for approximately 12 months. The Brigantine anticipates opening Portside Pier in late 2019.
