Yesterday word began to circulate that the legendary Lower East Side restaurant, Katz’s Deli, had struck a deal to sell its air rights. Now, one of the deli’s owners has given additional comment.
Deli co-owner Jake Dell has confirmed to the Lo-Down that the restaurant will stay open.
“The most important thing is that the future of Katz’s is secure — at the end of the day, no developer can ever come in and knock us down to put in a high rise,” Dell said. “At no point will anyone value the corner of Houston and Ludlow for anything other than Katz’s Delicatessen. A year after our 125th anniversary, this will help ensure that we can see our 150th, and hopefully many more to come.”
As of yet few details regarding the mysterious deal have come out. However, when the Lo-Down asked “is it possible that the current single-story structure will be demolished and replaced with a new tower?” and “or have the air rights been purchased so that they can be transferred to an adjacent lot?” Dell declined to comment, simply saying that it would “not be closed for a single day.”
The deal will hit pubic records soon, which will shed more light of the whole affair. [Lo-Down] – Christopher Cameron