The former Federal Donuts space in Wynwood will open as a new concept from the owners of KYU Wynwood.
Thor Equities Group leased the 2,000-square-foot space at 250 Northwest 24th Street to KYU’s Steven Haigh and chef Michael Lewis, who plan to open a new restaurant called Laid Fresh in the spring, a source said. The 11-unit condo building is known as 250 Wynwood.
Cyril Bijaoui of The Company Real Estate represented KYU in the 10-year lease deal, and George Stanchfield of Thor handled the landlord side, according to a spokesperson for Thor. Crudos Fusion Art leases the remaining retail space in the building, which was developed by David Polinsky.
Federal Donuts opened in 2017 and closed in March of the following year, citing diminished business caused by construction in the area. Across the street, the Related Group and East End Capital are building Wynwood 25 and the Wynwood Annex, apartment and office projects.
Back when Federal Donuts was leasing the space, asking rent was $65 a square foot. It has since risen to $80 a square foot, the Thor spokesperson said.
KYU, led by Haigh and Lewis, opened in 2016 at 251 Northwest 25th Street. Haigh was previously general manager of Zuma in Miami and Lewis was the former executive chef.
Bijaoui also brokered their deal at the KYU site. He declined to comment.