The transformation of one of Southern California’s most iconic, waterfront restaurant sites has begun. The Port of San Diego and The Brigantine, Inc. celebrated the start of construction on The Brigantine’s Portside Pier restaurant development project at 1360 North Harbor Drive overlooking San Diego Bay along North Embarcadero on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

“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 Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “I’m certainly going to enjoy some delicious meals and one-of-a-kind sunsets here with family and friends!”

“The Brigantine Restaurants have been serving San Diego for nearly 50 years. 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,” said Mike Morton, Jr., President and CEO of The Brigantine, Inc.

Portside Pier will offer a variety of dining options at different price points – fresh seafood at Brigantine on the Bay, authentic Mexican flavors at Miguel’s Cocina, pub fare at Ketch Grill & Taps, 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.

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 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., 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.

As part of the Port’s efforts to promote quality development to enhance San Diego Bay and the North Embarcadero as a world-class destination, the Port selected The Brigantine’s Portside Pier restaurant redevelopment concept for this site after a competitive public process.

The Port is self-funded. Revenues generated by tenants like The Brigantine, along with other real estate and maritime revenues, are reinvested into the Port’s 22 parks, public improvement projects, redevelopment projects, Harbor Police and more on San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront.