Beloved Bereket Beheaded by Ben Shaoul Ahead of 10-Story Condo Development
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Demolition is in full swing at the corner of East Houston and Orchard Streets, where the “Sledgehammer” himself, Ben Shaoul, is to deposit ten stories of luxury condo living. Victimized in this conversion from low- to high-rise were nearly a dozen stand-alone businesses, including a personal favorite. Bereket.
Now, exactly one year after serving its last lentil soup and falafel, the building itself is mostly demolished. That’s right, Bereket has been beheaded. Its unique signage with the baby Bereket (wearing naught but a Turkish chef hat) in tow is officially gone from the retail landscape. The former eating area is in shambles; the artwork by Marco is still visible, though.
Bereket was located at 187 East Houston for nineteen years. They promised a return shortly after the shutter, but have yet to deliver…
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The forthcoming ten-story (120 feet) mixed-use tumor boasts 94,923 square-feet of residential area and a commercial footprint of 13,463 square-feet. There will be 83 apartments and an Equinox gym facility. Retail is part of the equation, as well.
Ben Shaoul, along with Real Estate Equities Corp., together purchased this gargantuan assemblage of single-story stores for a combined $75 million. And lest we forget the air rights from Katz’s Deli. This sale was rumored for nearly a year, but didn’t actually close until April. Shaoul’s acquisition was made possible thanks to a cash injection of $97 million from SL Green.
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