In December, The Observer's Eliot Brown wrote about Cipriani's push to have the Rainbow Room in 30 Rock landmarked. The logic was that a landmark designation would strengthen Cipriani's negotiating position when it came to renewing its lease in 2013 with landlord Tishman Speyer. A landmark designation would limit Tishman's options for possible new tenants, thereby possibly throwing the landlord back into the arms of its existing tenant.
At the time, Cipriani denied such logic, its representatives saying that it merely wanted to protect a famous city spot. And Tishman Speyer denied it had any other immediate plans for the Rainbow Room's 56,000 square feet.
All seemed fine, if a bit tense.
The Times' Charles Bagli reported over the weekend that Tishman has moved to evict Cipriani. And that Cipriani has vowed to fight. read more »
