North Park Restaurant Renovation to Open in 2027
The Chop Suey Lounge project requires balancing historic facade preservation with modern hospitality interior layouts.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Restaurateurs Jacquelyn Kelly and Jason Bess are transforming the historic Peking Restaurant site at 2877 University Ave into the Chop Suey Lounge. The project aims to open in 2027 and will feature an entertainment stage and a smaller secondary dining space.
Why it matters
The project repurposes a legacy location that sat vacant since 2019, requiring significant renovation of the 3,500-square-foot footprint. Operators in historic districts must account for the added complexity and capital cost of restoring designated facades while upgrading interior service layouts.
The new 3,500-square-foot restaurant space replaces a location that operated from 1931 through 2019. The layout includes a specialized secondary dining room with an 8-guest capacity.
The players
Jacquelyn Kelly
Co-owner and entrepreneur managing the conversion of the historic North Park property into a multi-venue restaurant.
Jason Bess
Co-owner and operator leading the restoration and development of the former Peking Restaurant space.
The details
The renovation involves gutting the interior to install a stage for live jazz and new service infrastructure, including service carts and salvaged lanterns. Architects are replacing the current metal entrance doors with wooden versions while preserving the building's iconic cherry-red columns and aged neon signage to maintain historical designation requirements.
Timeline
1931: Peking Restaurant began operations at the site.
2019: The previous restaurant closed permanently.
2025: New owners secured the property lease.
2027: Target opening year for the Chop Suey Lounge.
Market Landscape
This project follows the 2019 closure of the Peking Restaurant, marking a transition in the North Park dining scene. The development mirrors a broader urban trend of preserving historical facades while reconfiguring interiors for modern experiential hospitality.
Operators planning to renovate historic properties should budget for facade preservation costs and the lengthy lead time required for restoration compliance. Ensure all architectural designs are verified against local historical designation standards before commencing interior demolition.
The takeaway
Successful historic conversions rely on balancing architectural preservation with functional modern amenities like live entertainment and intimate dining zones. Owners should monitor the progress of this restoration to understand the regulatory and capital demands of rehabbing long-vacant commercial assets.
Further reading
For more coverage on local hospitality shifts, visit the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times of San Diego.
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