A tropical “paradise” is coming to the concrete jungle.
Grupo Gitano signed a lease for a nearly 14,000 square-foot theme restaurant and club on two levels at Pier 17 — the first major deal by the property’s new owner, Seaport Entertainment Group (SEG).
The East River structure is home to restaurants including Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Fulton and Andrew Carmellini’s Carne Mare, the Rooftop live-music venue, and to ESPN studios and Nike offices.
Gitano isn’t entirely unknown to New Yorkers. It had a large, waterfront summer pop-up in Soho that later moved to Governors Island.
But the new, mostly-indoor pier location will be the brand’s US flagship, offering a “unique fusion of jungle vibes, sophisticated design and exclusive dance club” that will “reflect the spirit and modern luxury of Tulum [Mexico] with views of the Brooklyn Bridge,” the company said.
It will boast a giant disco ball suspended from a 30-foot-high ceiling.
The new club will replace the Koko’s Pearl Alley bar area.
SEG took over the entire Seaport last summer when it was established as a publicly-traded company, replacing previous owner Howard Hughes Corporation.
The complex includes the Tin Building food emporium run by Vongerichten as well as historic old buildings with stores such as McNally Jackson Books, the Lawn Club recreational attraction, numerous cafes, the IPIC cinemas and a nearby development site.
Grupo Gitano CEO James Gardner said the new location will “blend the energy and creativity of New York with the laid-back luxury of the Yucatan.”
Seaport Entertainment CEO Anton Nikodemus praised Gitano’s “blend of nightlife, entertainment and Mexican-inspired food and cocktails.”
Gitano recently opened a large outpost in Dubai and operates a resort hotel in Tulum.
