Developers have submitted a proposal to demolish Porta Bella, a beloved downtown Italian restaurant, to make way for a 16-story high-rise apartment building.
Porta Bella has been serving pasta, pizza, and wine at 425 N. Frances St. since 1968. Co-owners Wally Borowski and Ed Shinnick built the restaurant into a Madison staple, earning the title of “Most Romantic Restaurant” for 15 years straight.
Villas Student Housing, a Texas-based company, filed plans to replace the block with high-rise apartments, adding to an area already home to The Hub and The James. Before development can go underway, the proposal will need to be approved by the city, including a review from the Landmarks Commission, which will weigh the historical impact of Porta Bella in Madison…