News Summary
Brigantine Restaurant Company plans a $25.6 million redevelopment of the Fish Market restaurant in downtown San Diego, replacing it with The Landing, a multi-concept dining venue. The new facility will significantly increase seating capacity and include three distinct restaurant concepts. The project recently received approval for environmental review, with construction tentatively starting in March 2028. The redevelopment aims to enhance the waterfront dining experience and maintain community engagement throughout the process.
San Diego – Brigantine Restaurant Company is set to transform the downtown San Diego waterfront with a $25.6 million redevelopment of the aging Fish Market restaurant, which will be replaced by a new, multi-concept dining venue named The Landing. This project will entail the complete demolition of the current Fish Market structure, which has served the community since its opening in 1989.
The new dining destination will feature a two-story building with an expected total construction area of 32,080 square feet, significantly larger than the existing 22,087 square feet. The updated venue will also increase the seating capacity to 738 from the current 635. The height of The Landing will be approximately 36 feet, making it about two feet taller than the existing building.
The Landing will boast three distinct restaurant concepts: The Fish Market, offering a full-service seafood dining experience; The Little Market, a grab-and-go option featuring fresh seafood, prepared foods, coffee, gelato, and breakfast items; and Salt & Sear Prime Steak House, a high-end steakhouse emphasizing a refined ambiance and steak-focused menu ideal for special occasions and business dinners. The redevelopment project will include several banquet rooms and a publicly accessible 6-foot-wide waterfront walkway.
On Tuesday, the Board of Port Commissioners for the San Diego Unified Port District unanimously approved the commencement of environmental review work for The Landing, adhering to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. This environmental review is crucial as it will determine whether a full environmental impact report is necessary before any agreements can be executed or construction can begin.
Port Commissioner Dan Malcolm expressed support for the project, highlighting its potential to build on the successes observed with the Portside Pier development. For further progression, Brigantine will need to submit a formal application along with a detailed project description to continue with the environmental evaluation.
As part of its plans, Brigantine is seeking a 40-year lease agreement with the Port of San Diego, connected to the significant investment required for the new venture. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in March 2028, with the aim to have The Landing opened by spring or summer of 2029, contingent on acquiring the necessary approvals.
The current Fish Market, located at 750 N. Harbor Drive, will cease normal operations once its lease expires on February 29, 2028. Brigantine has recently acquired the leasehold for the Fish Market as part of their buyout of the Fish Market brand earlier this year. This acquisition aligns with Brigantine’s established history of operating successful restaurants in San Diego, including the flagship Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar, currently managing 20 restaurant locations across the area.
The redesign of The Landing is focused on maximizing pedestrian access and enhancing public experience along the waterfront, creating a vibrant dining atmosphere. The project’s financing is expected to come from a combination of private debt and equity funding, showcasing Brigantine’s commitment to revitalizing this important communal space.
As the process moves forward, stakeholders and community members will be kept informed about progress and developments relating to The Landing, which promises to become a noteworthy addition to San Diego’s dining landscape.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Brigantine Proposing $25.6M Redevelopment
- There’s San Diego: Best Restaurants in San Diego with a View
- San Diego Eater: Hot San Diego Restaurant Openings August 2025
- Coronado News: Port of San Diego Authorizes Development Permit
- Locale Magazine: Best Seafood Restaurants in San Diego
- Wikipedia: Dining in San Diego
- Google Search: Restaurant Development San Diego
- Google Scholar: San Diego Restaurant Redevelopment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Google News: San Diego Restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
