The Pasta Market is Open! Tips for Bay Area Landlords with Restaurant
Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, May 12, 2010 @ 04:56 PM
A good lesson for Landlords with an existing restaurant tenant or for any empty restaurant space in need of a new tenant: The Pasta Market in the San Jose Market Center.
The Pasta Market recently completed its tenant improvements and opened its doors to business in the San Jose Market Center off Coleman and Taylor Street in San Jose. 
The new restaurant is a good example for any Landlord to understand the recycling of existing restaurant space for a new restaurant tenant. The Pasta Market has done a good job incorporating the existing space Asque Grill had by doing a fairly minor paint and carpet remodel as well as adding some new, unique finishes that are more focused on The Pasta Market's Italian theme. 
The Pasta Market demonstrates how a restaurant can take over an existing restaurant location and instead of doing a complete gut and remodel, they utilize the existing assets of the space and converted it to another specific use.
Restaurant landlords should be aware of recycling restaurant space for numerous reasons. It can be cheaper for both the landlord and tenant since existing equipment in both the kitchen and often times the FF&E can be reused. It also helps expedite the move-in of a new tenant as there is less build out required.
MBH Architects has extensive experience with restaurant design including P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Epic, Waterbar and Momo's. Tom Pflueger, a Senior Associate in the firm says that atmosphere is the #1 goal of practically any restaurant (above and beyond the obvious priority of good food great service that is).
"An owner and a chef have a specific vision of what their restaurant looks and feels like. Our job is to help them realize that vision," says Pflueger.
Landlords should be aware of the importance of "atmosphere" concerning restaurants just as they should be concerned with the happenings of any office or other retail tenant.
Here's a few tips on how to create "atmosphere":
• Low Lighting (to help dim the room for a more dramatic and intimate experience)
• High Lighting (to help illuminate a room for higher energy)
• Mirrors (to help open a space, create 
depth, activation of space)
• Warm Materials (select a palate of materials that provide comfort in a relaxing environment)
• Details Detail Details (don't forget about the fine details of a space that add up to have large impacts on patrons. Details
include: uniqueness of bathrooms, artwork, fresh flowers/ plants and accent paint walls)
If you'd like to learn more about the design of restaurant tenant improvements contact Tom Pflueger at MBH Architects, TomP@mbharch.com or (510) 814-3477.
If you are looking for a contractor for your next tenant improvement, please call Jessie Woodyard with Barry Swenson Builderat 408-938-6313 or jwoodyard@barryswensonbuilder.com