Design Ideas for the Built World

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Project Highlight: Del Frisco’s San Diego

Architect: Aria Group Architects, Inc. / StruXure (Pergola X Manufacturer/Installer) / Emilia Czader (Photographer)

Location: San Diego, California, USA

Project Year: 2018

Since the first Del Frisco’s opened in 1981, this national restaurant chain has upheld its mission to embody the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse. Del Frisco’s San Diego is the anchor to the waterfront Intercontinental San Diego Hotel, and attracts thousands of visitors each year. During an interiors renovation in 2019, it was decided to add more outdoor seating and to cover it with StruXure’s Pergola X system.

The automation of the louvers was a big selling feature, as was the ability to add as many zones to the system as needed. All zones of the pivoting louvers can be easily operated from a hand-held device by any staff member. A sleek, contemporary Pergola X, with white louvers and framework, was selected to match the architecture of the surrounding buildings. Ceiling fans and heaters were also added to the system to enhance the patron experience. This was a pre-COVID project, but expanding and covering their outdoor seating turned out to be one of the restaurant’s greatest decisions. The outdoor space continues to be used year-round.