Koeppel Rosen signs Morimoto to 17,642 s/f at 1255 Bdwy.

Manhattan, NY Koeppel Rosen LLC, leasing and management agent for the Rosen family portfolio, negotiated a 17,642 s/f, 20-year lease with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Montclair Hospitality Group for a new restaurant located at 1255 Bdwy. within the 1261 Bdwy. office building.

The new Morimoto restaurant marks the return of the chef and his contemporary Japanese cuisine to New York City. The restaurant concept will occupy the entire ground floor space at 1261 Bdwy.

“We are incredibly excited to help bring chef Morimoto’s world-class fine dining back to Manhattan with his new restaurant at 1261 Broadway,” said Max Koeppel, director of leasing, Koeppel Rosen. “The space offered everything chef was looking for as he makes his return to New York City, and securing a new long-term lease agreement with one of the world’s culinary legends is validation of both the exceptional quality of the building as well as its ideal Midtown location.”

Morimoto was represented by Amy Zhen and Steven Soutendijk of Cushman & Wakefield. Ownership was represented in-house by Koeppel.

“I am excited to announce this new venture and bring a new dining experience to New York City,” said Morimoto. “The restaurant’s location has inspired me to craft a concept that will surprise and delight our guests. I can’t wait to share more about this project as we get closer to opening.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto to bring his newest concepts to life. Montclair Hospitality Group launched Mori Mori Handroll Bar together with Chef Morimoto at Time Out Market in DUMBO this past December and we will be opening the doors to the first MM by Morimoto restaurant in Montclair, NJ this spring. Now, we can’t wait to break ground in NYC with our biggest concept to date,” said Montclair Hospitality Group founder and chief business officer Luck Sarabhayavanija.

Built in 1909, 1261 Bdwy, is an 11-story office building situated in the Midtown South neighborhood, featuring new hotels and residential properties nearby. The property is going through a comprehensive renovation that includes upgrades to the lobby, elevators, common areas and restrooms. The building also offers 24/7 building access and sits near a variety of mass transit lines including proximity to Penn Station.

1261 Bdwy. has an impressive roster of office tenants, including DBI Projects, DBI Construction Consultants and Abrams Media.