Benihana, the popular teppanyaki restaurant chain known for its entertaining chefs, has sold its corporate condo in Manhattan’s Olympic Tower for $1.77 million. This sale is notable as it represents a significant loss for the company, which purchased the unit for $2.6 million in 2015. The condo, located close to Benihana’s flagship restaurant on West 56th Street, was initially listed for $1.9 million last July.
The buyer remains unknown, operating under the name Science of Enlightenment LLC.
The one-bedroom, 1½-bathroom condo boasts impressive features, including floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of Midtown Manhattan, Billionaires’ Row, and Central Park South. Inside, the layout includes a spacious foyer leading to a kitchen, a laundry room, and an open living and dining area. The design reflects some 1980s flair with mirrored walls and curved wood built-ins, along with custom Italian mahogany closets.
Olympic Tower, where the condo is situated, was developed in 1975 by Aristotle Onassis, the Greek shipping magnate. This building was one of the first luxury towers in New York City that allowed wealthy buyers to purchase without the usual co-op board scrutiny. Over the years, it has housed a variety of notable residents, including actress Anne Hathaway and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
The condo’s sale was handled by brokers Erin Boisson Aries and Dustin Crouse from Douglas Elliman. As Benihana continues to adapt and evolve, this sale marks another chapter in the history of a brand that has been entertaining diners since it opened its first location in New York City in 1964.