Projects

Café R&D Restaurant at Fashion Island

Project Info

LOCATION

Newport Beach, California

STATUS

Completed in 2017

SIZE

N/A

ROLE

Architect

MARKET

Hospitality

EXPERTISE

Architecture

A modern seaside brasserie for style-forward patrons

RACAIA’s design of Hillstone’s Café R&D is designed to be a modern feature integrated into Newport Beach’s fashion island. Inspired by elegant coastal dining across the California coastline, the overall aesthetic was an integrated experience of specific selected finishes, furniture and fixtures designed to fuse easily into the Fashion Island atmosphere.

The space is carefully orchestrated to balance refinement with approachability, creating an environment that feels both elevated and effortlessly comfortable. Subtle transitions between indoor and outdoor areas reinforce the coastal inspiration, allowing natural light and material textures to shape the dining experience throughout the day. Attention to proportion, detailing, and circulation ensures that each element—from seating arrangements to lighting accents—supports both operational efficiency and guest experience, resulting in a cohesive setting that reflects Hillstone’s brand while seamlessly embedding itself within the broader Fashion Island context.