Meridian Capital Group completes 4,000 s/f restaurant lease at 170 Thompson St.

Manhattan, NY Meridian Capital Group has completed a 4,000 s/f restaurant lease at 170 Thompson St. in Greenwich Village. The space, home to Lupa Osteria Romana for more than 25 years, will become Chiqui, a new restaurant from hospitality operators Jonathan Adler and Riasat Azmee. The transaction was arranged by Stephen Ligambi, senior director at Meridian Retail Leasing.

The restaurant space at 170 Thompson St. includes 2,500 s/f on the ground floor and 1,500 s/f of prep space on the lower level, with 25 ft. of frontage. It is fully built out, with a vented kitchen and gas service in place. Lupa opened at the address in 1999 and became a fixture of the downtown dining scene. The building is across Thompson St. from Carbone.

Chiqui has received all required approvals, including its liquor license. Ligambi represented the tenant in the transaction. Lease terms were not disclosed.

“An address with this much history calls for operators who respect it and bring their own point of view,” said Ligambi. “Jon and Rio have built serious hospitality and beverage programs across the city. Our job was to match the right team with the right space, and we’re excited to see the next chapter of 170 Thompson take shape.”

Adler brings an extensive background in acclaimed restaurants and beverage programs. He is known for his work as beverage director of Shinji’s, whose cocktail program has been featured by the Michelin Guide and earned VinePair’s 2024 Next Wave Award for Bar Program of the Year. Azmee is an experienced hospitality operator whose portfolio includes Shinka Ramen and Bowery Beer Garden. He is also a partner and creative director at Stone & Soil.