Steakhouse Moves into Moinian Property
By Danielle Schlanger March 13, 2015 4:00 pm
reprints
A new, chic steakhouse is coming to the Moinian Group’s 72 Madison Avenue.
Rocco Steakhouse has signed a 15-year lease for the ground floor of the 12-story property for its first location. The lease encompasses roughly 4,500 square feet, the entire retail space at the building.
The space, which sits between East 27th and East 28th Streets, one block from Madison Square Park, had an asking rent of $460,000 a year, according to Hazm Aliessa of Tower Brokerage.
Mr. Aliessa, along with Robert Perl, the president of Tower Brokerage, represented Rocco Steakhouse. Isabelle Sedghi of the Moinian Group represented the landlord.
“The new location at 72 Madison Avenue is a perfect fit for this restaurant,” said Ms. Sedghi, the vice president of leasing at the Moinian Group, in prepared remarks. “They loved the feel of the space, with its high ceilings and full basement, allowing them to envision and carry out their concept.”
Rocco Trotta, Pete Pjetrovic and Jeff Kalenovic are the owners of the steakhouse. Mr. Trotta is the owner and chairman of the LiRo Group, a New York City-based engineering and construction management firm. Though he has had several successful restaurant ventures, including Caracalla on Long Island and Frank’s Steakhouse in Westchester County, this is Mr. Trotta’s first steakhouse in Manhattan.
Prior to Rocco Steakhouse signing its lease, another group had been interested in opening a sports bar at the location. However, they were rejected by the community board for its liquor license.
The property at 72 Madison Avenue is 60,000 square feet. Other tenants include Avenue Magazine, Monique Lhuillier and Wedding Atelier.
“This was our first deal with the Moinian Group, and we look forward to many more,” said Mr. Aliessa.
