Come 2016, Four Seasons restaurateurs Alex von Bidder and Julian Niccolini will be moving out of their Midtown space, as developer and Seagram Building owner Aby Rosen let their lease expire earlier this year. But the duo may have a new place to land: The New York Post reports that Bidder and Niccolini are in talks with Fosun International Ltd., the owners of 28 Liberty (formerly One Chase Manhattan Plaza), to take over a space at the top of the building, presumably for a restaurant. (No word on whether it will be called the Four Seasons—the restaurateurs own the name, so anything is possible.)
Fosun unveiled its plans for the landmarked building, with additions and renovations courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (the structure's original architects), earlier this year. According to those plans, which were given preliminary approval by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the changes would include a subterranean level with retail space; new, accessible entrances to the building, including boxy glass ones that are reminiscent of the 57th Street Apple Store; more greenery on the plaza; and the total replacement of the parapet on the ground floor.
Although there's no timeline for the renovation just yet, it's estimated that the overhaul will cost between $100 million and $200 million. And according to the Post, the Four Seasons owners may have some competition: Fosun is allegedly also in talks with three other "household names" for the top-floor space.
· Four Seasons owners have sights set on downtown skyscraper [NYP]
· Former Chase Manhattan Plaza Renovation Moves Forward [Curbed]
· All 28 Liberty Coverage [Curbed]
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