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.