This morning Katz's Deli proprietor Jake Dell confirmed that the pastrami sandwich institution has sold its air rights to an unnamed developer. The good news: the 126-year-old restaurant at the corner of Houston and Ludlow Street isn't going anywhere. This morning Dell told The Lo-Down that "at no point will anyone value the corner ... for anything other than Katz's Delicatessen" and that the deal will help to secure Katz's future. Earlier reports of the sale of neighboring 196-200 Orchard Street and 187-201 East Houston to developer Ben Shaoul are still unsubstantiated, but someone's certainly cooking something up for the downtown block. Details on the deal are still sparse. A 2008 rezoning of the area on Houston west of Essex only allows structures up to 12 stories with inclusionary housing.
· Breaking: Katz's Deli Makes a Deal To Sell Air Rights; Restaurant Will Remain [TLD]
· Katz's Deli Sells Its Air Rights But Its Not Going Anywhere [BB]
· Katz's Is Selling Its Air Rights, But Promises Pastrami's Safe [ENY]
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