The Prado San Diego: Custom Mobile Hedge Installation
From Rental Hassle to Permanent Elegance
The Prado at Balboa Park is a landmark San Diego restaurant, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful outdoor patio dining. Geranium Street was engaged to transform their exterior ambiance with a permanent, high-quality installation that matched the restaurant's prestige.
The Challenge
For years, The Prado managed its seasonal patio privacy and greenery needs by renting artificial boxwood hedges. The recurring rental fees represented a significant operational expense with no long-term asset. The rented hedges were bulky and inflexible—staff couldn't move or reconfigure them without considerable effort, limiting the restaurant's ability to adapt the space for private events or large parties.
Our Solution
Geranium Street proposed a custom-built, permanent hedge system with modular, freestanding units mounted on heavy-duty, locking casters. Each hedge panel was built-to-order with premium UV-resistant artificial boxwood foliage, specifically selected to withstand San Diego's year-round sunlight without fading. The mobile design empowered staff to easily reposition greenery as needed.
- UV-resistant materials
- Modular design
- Mobile on casters
- Heavy-duty locking system
Implementation
The Geranium Street project team executed the installation within an efficient three-week timeline. The process began with a detailed site consultation at The Prado to finalize dimensions, layout, and mobility requirements. Our fabrication team then constructed the custom hedge frames, integrated the durable UV-resistant foliage, and installed the commercial-grade caster systems. Delivery and on-site assembly were scheduled to minimize disruption to the restaurant's operations.
The Results
The Prado eliminated ongoing rental fees, transitioning from a recurring cost to a one-time capital investment with ROI calculated in months. Diners now enjoy a consistently lush, high-end backdrop that enhances the outdoor dining experience. The newfound mobility allows staff to effortlessly create intimate dining nooks or open up the patio for gatherings.
It has been a pleasure collaborating with Alex Tarnowski and the Geranium Street team. The product's quality and appearance have exceeded our expectations, further enhancing our already beautiful venue. I enthusiastically recommend Geranium Street as a preferred partner.