The restaurateur Danny Meyer is considering opening a bistro in central Harlem, according to retail brokers leasing a nine-building portfolio around the intersection of West 135th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
Faith Hope Consolo, Joseph Aquino and Arthur Maglio of Douglas Elliman were named exclusive leasing agents for the 25,000-square-foot portfolio covering 216, 218, 229, 231, 233, and 235 West 135th Street, 2312 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and 2518-2524, 2540 and 2542 Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
“We’re already talking to a big wine store and maybe a wine bar,” Ms. Consolo said. She said that if conversations with Mr. Meyer are productive, the man behind Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Gotham Bar & Grill, The Modern and other blockbuster restaurants would bring a modest–though not Shake Shack modest–bistro concept to Harlem.
The square footage of units in the portfolio ranges from 500 to 5,000 square feet. Average asking rents are $75 a foot.
The Douglas Elliman retail team has been very busy in Harlem. In the past six months, they’ve brought the Children’s Aid Society, Tribeca Pediatrics and Sunshine Day Care to the changing neighborhood. Ms. Consolo noted the need for similar community services in this central area of Harlem, but also spoke of several “name” stores interested in the block.
“This is a huge portfolio,” said Ms. Consolo, adding with characteristic understatement that “we run all of Harlem.”
Representatives for Mr. Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group could not immediately be reached for comment.
