A new hibachi restaurant, Bijin Omakase, is preparing to open in Long Island City, Queens. The company has signed a 15-year lease for a 5,077 square foot ground floor space at “Trio”, a nine-storey residential building with 34 units, owned by ZD Jasper Realty. The property's address is 27-19 Thomson Avenue, near the intersection with the busy Jackson Avenue. This information was provided by RTL, the brokerage firm representing both landlord and tenant.
The initial asking rent for the space was $130 per square foot. Eli Gold of RTL, who represented the tenant alongside Michael Shkreli, commented on the swift process: “Given the collaborative nature of our team at RTL, when this space was shared internally, even before it hit the market, I knew immediately it would be a perfect fit for our client.”
Gold added that they viewed the location the very next day, and the lease was fully signed five weeks later. He described this as a testament to understanding a client’s requirements, identifying the right opportunity before it reached the wider market, and the commitment of both parties to achieving a market-rate deal. Thomas Galo and Matthew Knispel of RTL led negotiations on behalf of the landlord.
Specific Concept Requirements
The residential building on Thomson Avenue is also known by its alternative address, 27-22 44th Drive. According to Eli Gold, the ground floor space met all the tenant's needs. He emphasised that, as a hibachi concept, Bijin Omakase had very specific spatial requirements, which significantly narrowed the selection of suitable spaces.
Key Players Involved
- —Tenant: Bijin Omakase
- —Landlord: ZD Jasper Realty
- —Broker: RTL (for landlord and tenant)
- —Tenant-side Brokers: Eli Gold, Michael Shkreli (RTL)
- —Landlord-side Brokers: Thomas Galo, Matthew Knispel (RTL)
This transaction highlights Long Island City's continued appeal for hospitality businesses, which can also accommodate specific usage requirements. Careful market analysis and the efficient cooperation of the parties involved enabled the swift finalisation of this long-term tenancy.
