Eric Richardson []

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Wolfgang Puck's L.A. Bistro at 6th and Hope is changing hands. According to public records, the restaurant will be reborn as Pizzeria Urbano, with Michael Leko and Peter Gedde as officers. Leko, along with Will Shamlian, owns the neighboring Library Bar and new Historic Core addition Spring St.

A source close to the deal says the deal is currently in escrow and that the Wolfgang Puck outpost — which opened to fanfare in 2006 — will close its doors in December. The restaurant's well-equipped condition should mean construction wraps in the first quarter of 2011.

Asked about the sale, a spokeperson from Wolfgang Puck denied that a sale had already taken place. "Currently we have not sold the property," said Stephanie Davis late Friday afternoon in a voicemail response. "We are just looking at options, possibly looking to build or move to a bigger location, but nothing is final or set in stone."

Records with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control and sources blogdowntown spoke with suggest otherwise. A transfer of the restaurant's liquor license , in escrow since Tuesday.

Leko and Shamlian are also set to start construction work next week on CoffeeBar in SB Tower at 600 S. Spring. Eater LA see the concept as the first in a small national chain. Other holdings include Laurel Tavern in Studio City, 4100 Bar in Silver Lake and two bars in New York.