Durst Organization leases 8,900 s/f to Burger & Lobster at One Bryant Park
Jonathan Durst, Durst Org.Manhattan, NY According to The Durst Org. and Burger & Lobster, the London-based restaurant group signed a 15-year lease for 8,900 s/f on the ground, second and basement levels of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre space in One Bryant Park, at 123 W. 43rd St. between Ave. of the Americas and Broadway. The space will house the second outpost in NYC (and in the second in the U.S.) of the novel eponymous concept which offers just three items at one price - hamburger, lobster roll and whole lobster, each served with fries and salad, for $20. The 150-seat restaurant is slated to open in the fall. With this lease signing, One Bryant Park, the 2.35 million s/f, 51-story LEED Platinum office tower is now 100% leased.
“It’s very exciting for us to open our second NYC- and U.S. - location in such a vibrant neighborhood, where we’re taking advantage of a truly unique space that has inspired a very compelling design,” said Vladimir Borodin, the Burger & Lobster operating partner who is in charge of the expansion to the U.S. “The fact that we’ll be in a theater is especially exciting to me having grown-up in a theatrical family. I’m looking forward to Burger & Lobster becoming an integral part of New York’s dynamic the theater community.”
“We are delighted Burger & Lobster chose One Bryant Park for its second location in the United States,” said Jonathan (Jody) Durst, president of The Durst Org. “The historical theatre space will offer Burger & Lobster’s customers a unique dining experience in Midtown Manhattan.”
Burger & Lobster was represented by VP of real estate James Race and director of real estate Alexandra Turboff of Branded Concept Development. The Durst Org. was represented by: vice chairman Patrick Smith, executive VP Matt Ogle, executive VP Corey Zolcinski and managing director Erin Grace of JLL, senior VP Mark Kapnick of SRS Real Estate and in-house by chief leasing administrative and legal services officer David Neil, senior VP of leasing Tom Bow and leasing associate Lindsey Ravesloot.
The theater, formerly known as Henry Miller’s Theatre, was restored and reconstructed during the construction of One Bryant Park. The Neo-Georgian landmarked façade of the original 1918 Allen, Ingalls & Hoffman-designed theatre was preserved and restored. The theater is operated by Roundabout Theatre Company.
The décor of new Bryant Park / Times Sq. restaurant, with access from both 43rd and 42nd Sts., will be the result of a collaborative effort by UK’s Andrew Harwood Design and the New York based Michael Zenreich architects. They will incorporate such signature Burger & Lobster decorative elements as the liberal use of a variety of woods, high back red booths and lobster traps, while highlighting the space’s physical characteristics with a grand staircase connecting the ground floor entrance with the dining room, where a giant whimsical lobster sculpture will hang from the 24 ft. high ceiling and where two stories of mullioned windows will overlook 43rd St.