Westville is preparing to open its twelfth US branch, bringing a selection of classic American dishes to Manhattan's Murray Hill area. The restaurant chain has signed a lease for 4,148 square feet on the ground floor of 540 Third Avenue, also known as The Dian. The Dian is a 22-storey residential building with 160 units, located at the corner of Third Avenue and East 36th Street, according to broker Meridian Capital Group.
The leased space comprises 2,739 square feet on the ground floor and 1,409 square feet on the lower level. The asking rent and the lease term were not disclosed. However, the average asking rent for retail space in nearby Herald Square was USD 394 per square foot in the second quarter of 2026, according to data from CBRE.
Robert Bonicoro and Betsy Da Silva of CBRE represented Westville in this lease, while James Famularo and Jordan Langer of Meridian represented the ownership entity, a joint venture between Gilar Realty and Ranco Capital. A request for comment from Commercial Observer to CBRE went unanswered initially.
Jordan Langer stated in a release that Westville had a wide selection of locations in this market. The company's decision to commit long-term to 540 Third Avenue underscores the sustained demand for well-built and well-located retail space in this area. Meridian did not disclose when Westville's new Murray Hill branch would open.
The franchise already operates restaurants in Manhattan, including in West Village, Chelsea, East Village, the Upper East Side, and Wall Street, as well as a branch in Long Island City, Queens. The first Westville branch outside New York City opened in Northern Virginia.
James Famularo commented in a statement that it is no coincidence that Whole Foods and Westville are settling in the same blocks within a few months. This indicates a real-time repositioning of the corridor. He emphasised that the owners had provided prime space and maintained its value. They had secured an operator who would attract customers from day one.
