Andrew A. Pittel & Company, LLC has filled the final space in Forest City Ratners 42nd Street Entertainment Center.
Pittelco leased the Grande Dame of Time Square, the 100 year old, 25,000 s/f Beaux-Arts Liberty Box Theater to Famous Dave’s BBQ/Times Square Hospitality Group.
It is located at 234 West 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. This marks the sixth Famous Dave’s opening in New York and the second in New York City. The 42nd Street Famous Dave’s is owned and operated by the Benmoha Restaurant Group.
“The location has been available for lease for more than ten years. Many have tried unsuccessfully to lease the historic beauty,” said Andrew Pittel.
“If it wasn’t for Pittel, the deal would have never been made. With so many obstacles and local government approvals and overseers the negotiations took nearly 24 months to complete,” said Sammy Benmoha. “Now we can say we were the last piece to the Forest City Ratner 42nd Street puzzle.
The multi-million dollar renovation of this historic landmark took two more years, but once our guests visit the restaurant, they will agree that the food, the atmosphere and the ambiance were well worth the wait. With our premiere location and the capacity of over 600 seats, a state-of-the-art lighting, sound system and visual package, along with a dynamic bar and separate and private rooms for catering special occasions and parties, we look forward to hosting events, such as live BBQ and food shows with Famous Dave Anderson and his entourage of celebrity chefs, new product release parties for favorite brands, a variety of fashion shows and private parties. This new Times Square location is sure to be a success.”
The Liberty Box Theater was originally constructed in 1904. It was home to some of the world’s greatest shows and the stars that performed there: The Rogers Brothers in Paris, Little Johnny Jones, Lady Be Good, Tip-Toes and stars such as Gus and Max Rogers, Fred and Adele Astaire, George M. Cohan, and Jeannette MacDonald all graced The Liberty Box stage.
The Benmoha’s signed the deal for this piece of New York history in 2007 with a commitment to bring the theater back to its former glory.
Famous Dave’s at The Liberty Theater features dramatic cathedral ceilings, the original theater boxes and ornate moldings, sweeping balconies and a giant stage and mezzanine that hosts a large bar-lounge with a view of the entire scene. Famous Dave’s can host multiple private dinners, parties and events at the same time and can comfortably hold 1,500 people.
“To be instrumental in procuring such a historical and important deal for not only my customer, Famous Dave’s BBQ/the Benmoha Restaurant Group, but for the City of NY and the property owner/developer Forest City Ratner, is a true honor,” said Andrew Pittel, President & CEO of Andrew A. Pittel & Company, LLC. The long term lease for the theater had a blended asking rent of $200.00 psf.
Andrew Pittel, President& CEO of Andrew A. Pittel & Company represented the Tenant while Marc Leber and Jeff Roseman of Newmark Knight Frank worked with the landlord.
