In the historic Hillside area of San Diego, this square block of land was the vision of Raoul Marquis. Along India Street at Washington Avenue he assembled a block of houses, converting them initially into art galleries, and finally as restaurants. including the popular Thai Chicken, Greek dining, and Italian Gelato establishments. Up the hill from the restaurants craftsman buildings were perched Marquis built the Marquis Public Theatre in 1972, a 99 seat live performance venue where Raoul and Minerva Marquis opened, directed and led 16 seasons of dramatic shows, from 1972 to 1989). Some of the cottages were converted into a language learning school, and a few remained as rental cottages. The corner hillside was redeveloped into Shakespeare's Pub which has become a neighborhood fixture frequented by locals and tourists.
