Porto Leggero is an upscale, Italian restaurant situated along the waterfront of Jersey City. Located at 185 Hudson Street within the Harborside Financial Plaza 5, the restaurant features large glass windows that provide stunning cityscape views. The restaurant attracts business professionals and families alike, and is an ideal location for happy hours, corporate events, and family dinners. Working in conjunction with landlord, Mack-Cali Realty, TPG’s hospitality studio helped to reimagine the restaurant by redesigning and expanding the existing restaurant.

The design concept for the restaurant was to achieve the ambiance of a traditional Italian kitchen with a modern flare. For this renovation project, the design team took advantage of the large, open dining room with high-ceilings, and wanted to create a welcoming and intimate aesthetic. Thus, the newly designed restaurant features rustic finishes and warm jewel tones paired with soft, colorful furnishings. The architecture is accented with a combination of bronze and copper metals.

The previous eatery lacked a true street presence and noticeable signage. TPG’s design team helped to enhance their restaurant’s visibility by creating a new, inviting entryway. The new vestibule entrance provides shelter and speaks to the volume and design of the building. The entrances are emphasized with on-brand signage that invites guests to all three of the restaurant’s entrances (dining, bar and lounge, and building lobby).