Great news, investors! Yesterday we received the full and enthusiastic support of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for our plans to reopen Gage & Tollner. 

Yesterday's date has been on our calendars for a long time now, and the source of some stress. To be clear, we have a lot to thank the LPC for — the landmark designation that the Commission gave to the Gage & Tollner dining room in the 1970s is the only reason it still exists — the building would have been torn down years ago without it. But on the other hand, the LPC has crushed the dreams of many developers that have tried to work in landmarked buildings (and maybe for good reasons). They can significantly slow or completely stop a project, and we just couldn't afford that. When working with landmarked interiors, the LPC has even more leeway — they can disapprove fabric choices, the color of stain used on floorboards, the types of lampshades used on chandeliers, etc. 

 We were prepared for a lot of pushback. We had good arguments for why we should be allowed to put banquettes in the center of the room,  why the fabric we picked for the wall panels was historically appropriate. why the extension of the front bar was not only necessary to the function of a 21st century restaurant, but also a sound aesthetic decision. 

Instead of pushback, what we got was full-throated support with no objections. The commissioners reminisced on the record about their experiences dining at Gage & Tollner — one commissioner was even served she-crab soup by Miss Edna Lewis herself. They commended our research and our design, which really strives to preserve the character of the magnificent space. And they wished us good luck. And that was it! 

We have to single out our architects for special thanks here. Eric Safyan and Kevin Kehler of Eric Safyan Architect PC put together a wonderful presentation (you can see the whole thing here if you're interested) — they've been working night and day on this for weeks, and all of their effort paid off beautifully yesterday. 

There are many more bureaucratic rivers to cross, but this was a big one, and we're glad it's done. You can read more about the hearing here if you like. Look for another update in a couple weeks, and thanks as always for your support!