After Two Years, Tony's Steakhouse Lease Terminated
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Two years after signing a lease agreement on a prime corner space across from Pershing Square, Tony's Italian Steakhouse's lease has been terminated, bringing closure to a project that left many Downtowners scratching their heads. Though planned to be an elegant, upscale eatery, major construction never took off at the long-empty and highly visible corner space in the Pacific Center at 6th and Olive streets.
Owner Primo Hospitality Group announced plans for a rapid expansion across Los Angeles just before and during the height of the recession, but financing issues stymied the company's growth and have left a trail of questions in Downtown. The original Tony's location in West Hollywood closed earlier this year, and several Downtown projects have slowed or stalled mid-construction, including the firm's Primo Cucina, a restaurant and gourmet market in the Arts District, and Primo Bistro in City West. However, construction has begun once again on Caffe Primo, a mid-range restaurant at Wilshire and Flower, and completion is tentatively scheduled for the end of the year.
Derrick Moore, vice president of brokerage services at commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis, tells blogdowntown that a non-restaurant tenant may take the space vacated by Tony's in the next few months, though no details could be given at this time.
Guest on September 10, 2010, at 11:24AM – #1
The City West version in the Glo apartment building has not stalled -- it's canceled, judging by the recent removal of all relevant material from the site.
Sadly, The Great Steak location next door has also closed, as has the Tokyo Grill across the street -- leaving a huge hole in the City West dining choices, as limited as they were to begin with.