The shuttered, former home of Bill’s Townhouse Restaurant — and of Bill’s Gay ’90s for many more years before that — is coming back to life backed by a powerful Manhattan dining impresario, Realty Check has learned.
The lease at 57 E. 54th St. was signed days ago by Christian Pascal, a co-owner of celebrity-magnet Hunt & Fish Club. It illustrates a burgeoning trend: ambitious eateries opening in large, long-dark venues previously home to other eating establishments.
Pascal’s new place, on the chic block that’s also home to Cellini and Nerai, is likely to be called Bill’s Supper Club.
Meridian Retail Leasing’s James Famularo, who represented the owners of 57 E. 54th St., said they got “close to” the listed asking price of $40,000 a month for 8,000 square feet on three floors.
Although some of the so-called “second generation” opening plans, such as Fasano’s spectacular launch this week in the former Four Seasons space at 280 Park Ave., were set in motion pre-pandemic, there’s no doubt that the huge opening tide signifies confidence in the city’s future.
The blizzard of Manhattan restaurant signings includes:
Italian favorite Valbella at the old Da Dong space on West 42nd Street in 3 Bryant Park; La Brasserie on the former Les Halles site at 411 Park Avenue So.; and, as we first reported last week, global brand BeefBar at 105 Hudson St., site of the original Nobu.
Also opening this week: Pebble Bar, from an all-star team of downtown nightlife investors. The three-level bar and lounge is at the Rockefeller Center site of celebrated, long-ago saloon Hurley’s.
