rincon restaurants open for business!
ALAMEDA, CA - Rincon Park Restaurants (EPIC Roasthouse and Waterbar) opened their doors to the general public on January 26th, 2008.
These two new restaurants are located in San Francisco, directly on the shores of the Embarcadero in Rincon Park And sits right next to “Cupid’s Span”, the giant bow and arrow embedded in the northern tip of the park by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Waterbar is 8,518 square feet and serves mainly “fruits of the sea”. EPIC Roasthouse is 9,498 square feet and features steak and other grilled delicacies. Both restaurants have spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands and the Berkeley and Oakland hills.
Epic and Waterbar are the product of the collaborative design effort between MBH Architects, Engstrom Design Group and Pat Kuleto, who conceived the two buildings as an old world pump house and powerhouse. The design is inspired by contemporary architecture, with the historic, old world characteristics sought by Kuleto expressed through materials such as brick, limestone, and darkened metals. Sympathetic to the iron and lead materials that were an integral part of construction in the age of the Industrial Revolution, the buildings respect their place in time while creating the palette and environment for the more literal historic references in their interiors.
In keeping with the history of the Embarcadero, the decision to set aside 2.5 acres at the south end of Rincon Park (between Howard and Harrison Streets) for the two restaurants was not without controversy. Endless meetings and public hearings took place examining the need for this development and the community and environmental impact it would have. With patience, perseverance and skill, the Public / Private Partnership between the City of San Francisco and JMA Waterfront Properties Inc. successfully addressed these concerns and the Rincon Park restaurants were born.
MBH Architects, established in 1989, is a diversified and multi-faceted practice employing 220 professionals with offices in Alameda and Newport Beach California. As a comprehensive and service-oriented architectural firm, MBH embodies Design Excellence from the inception of the project through to its successful completion. The firm has designed and completed a wide range of projects in the housing, hospitality, retail, restaurant, mixed use and planning industries. “It’s our people who make great places.” ®