Port of San Diego gives Anthony’s Fish Grotto site to The Brigantine

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – 4:45 p.m. – The Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners voted Monday to open negotiations with The Brigantine Inc. to lease and renovate the iconic Anthony’s Fish Grotto site on the downtown waterfront.

11:30 a.m. – The Port of San Diego will hold a board meeting Tuesday at 1 p.m. to move closer in deciding the fate of "Fish Grotto" at the Embarcadero. 

The Port’s Board of Commissioners is considering granting The Brigantine Inc. restaurant chain approval to take over the site starting in 2017, when Anthony’s lease ends on January 31.

Anthony’s has been at the Embarcadero site since 1966.

The Brigantine Inc. claims that it would lease and renovate the 16,600-square-foot space section of the pier by building a two story structure with several different restaurants and a public viewing deck on the top floor. Brigantine plans to invest at least $13 million into the project and pay a minimum annual rent of $1.1 million, which staff rated the best financial deal of the three finalists, or $1.6 million higher than the others over a 10- year period.

"The San Diego destination deserves a world-class restaurant anchor at this prominent site — one that showcases the unique location, attracts people to the waterfront and promotes the culture and beauty of our region," said Port CEO Randa Coniglio. "The port team used a rigorous procurement process to compare the advantages of several excellent redevelopment proposals for this restaurant site."

The owner of anthony’s says he’s still optimistic the board will decide in his favor.

After the port commissioners choose a prospective lessee, staff will open negotiations and begin the environmental review process. An eventual lease contract and EIR would require final board approval.

Decision is expected to be made sometime after 3 p.m. Tuesday.