By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Apr 19, 2010 at 2:28 PM

Local philanthropist Michael Cudahy and restaurateur Joe Bartolotta have teamed up to create "Harbor House," in the former Pieces of Eight location on Milwaukee's lakefront.

Scheduled to open in early July, Harbor House will offer fine dining with an emphasis on fresh seafood and steaks, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a New England waterfront.

The restaurant will feature a large main bar, a raw bar, indoor and outdoor seating along with space for private and catered events.

Renovations are currently underway at the restaurant, which will seat approximately 260 people when finished.

Pieces of Eight opened on the lakefront in 1969 and gave way to Harbor 550, operated by Specialty Restaurants Corp. from 2005-2008.

Cudahy bought the vacant building with the hopes of donating it UWM to be used as a location for its Freshwater Sciences school, but that plan fell apart and, instead, he teamed up with Bartolotta for a new restaurant.