Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Katz's Deli Sells Air Rights Over 126-Year-Old Restaurant
By
Nell Casey
Published Aug 29, 2014
Modified Aug 29, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Aug 29, 2014
Modified Aug 29, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The massive changes coming for the stretch of Houston between Ludlow and Orchard Streets just got even more extreme with news that Katz's Deli is selling the air rights above their legendary eatery. Katz's co-owner Jake Dell tells The Lo-Down that he has "a deal in place for the sale of [its] air rights," meaning developers would be able to build on top of the 126-year-old restaurant. Dell couldn't disclose further information until the deal was secured.
"The most important thing is that the future of Katz's is secure—at the end of the day, no developer can ever come in and knock us down to put in a high rise," Dell tells the website. Great news for pastrami lovers; mixed emotions for those already bemoaning the scrubbing down of the gritty but great stretch of eateries, most of which seem poised for demolition.
This morning, Bowery Boogie confirmed plans for several stores neighboring Katz's to be demolished to make way for some kind of development. Longtime kabab house Bereket and another restaurant closed back in June; other businesses were given a three-month reprieve back in May. Notorious developer Ben Shaoul is rumored to be the mastermind behind all of this.
Tagged
air rights
katz's deli
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .