The former site of Manhattan's iconic (and infamous) nightclub is getting a new lease of life as a members' club. Maison Estelle, an exclusive London private club, has leased approximately 30,000 square feet in the Church of the Holy Communion. This deconsecrated 19th-century church is located at the corner of West 20th Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan's Flatiron District, as reported by Commercial Observer.
This new lease at 656 Avenue of the Americas marks the first US outpost for Maison Estelle's parent company, Estelle Community. The company was founded by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha. Its three clubs in the United Kingdom are known for their exclusivity, a strict no-photography policy, and estimated annual fees of around $4,000.
History and Redevelopment of a Landmark
Estelle's decision to lease the imposing main church space is notable. The building's Gothic Revival facade has long been associated with Limelight, a legendary 1980s and 1990s dance club that attracted celebrities such as Madonna and Prince, and eventually became synonymous with the era's drug-fuelled rave culture and crime. Numerous attempts to re-let the church space – including as a boutique shopping mall, club-style gym, French bistro, and pop-up space for luxury brands – failed, leaving the premises vacant for a long time.
In August 2025, the building signalled its readiness for a new chapter when the landlord, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation under Ben Ashkenazy, put up 'for sale and for lease' signs. Earlier this year, rumours emerged that Estelle had been scouting in the Upper East Side, where it reportedly considered a five-storey townhouse at 24 East 81st Street. However, the club opted for Manhattan's Flatiron District, supported by Michael Bertini, Geoffrey Newman, and Jordan Weiss of Savills. The landlord was represented in-house by Daniel Iwanicki.
Plans and Market Situation
The duration of the lease and the asking rent are unknown. Average retail rents in the Flatiron District submarket were last at $306 per square foot, according to Cushman & Wakefield data. Maison Estelle's plans for the interior of the historic church are vastly different from the ecstatic raves and foam parties of the Limelight of old. Instead of establishing a nightclub, representatives for Estelle informed Manhattan Community Board 5 that they intend to offer a full-service restaurant at the site, according to Traded, which first reported the lease. Spokespeople for Estelle and Ashkenazy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
