H
appy Corner Hospitality, the Miami‑based group behind Motek, has secured a new flagship at 60 W 57th St., the southeast corner of Sixth Avenue and 57th Street that housed Rue 57 for 25 years. The 6,700‑sq‑ft Mediterranean/Middle‑Eastern café will open next spring. Motek already operates in Flatiron and Williamsburg and will soon replace a Serafina on the Upper West Side. The space attracted intense interest after Rue 57 closed last spring; Motek outbid several high‑profile competitors, though lease terms are confidential.

    Founder Charlie Levy said the opening feels “deeply personal” because New York embodies possibility, energy and culture—values that define Motek. The new venue will blend Mediterranean flavors with classic New York design and serve “kosher‑style” dishes free of seed oils, reflecting the brand’s commitment to fresh, wholesome cooking. While the full menu is not yet released, the Flatiron location currently offers hummus, mezze, shawarma plates, street‑food items, salads, kebabs and steakhouse cuts.

    The launch is expected to revitalize the long block of West 57th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, a stretch that has seen store closures and demolition in preparation for major redevelopment. Renderings show Motek’s façade without the sidewalk bridge that once obscured Rue 57’s entrance, though it is unclear whether the bridge will be removed before opening.