Swanky Chinese Restaurant To Replace Le Cirque: Report

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A high-end Chinese restaurant will replace former fine dining staple Le Cirque, according to reports.

Aqua Restaurant Group signed a lease for Le Cirque's old space on East 58th Street with the intention of opening a New York City location of Hutong — which currently operates acclaimed eateries in Hong Kong and London, the New York Post first reported.

The new restaurant is expected to open by late 2018 or early 2019, the Post reported. The commercial real estate firm JLL represented the restaurant group in lease negotiations with Vornado Realty Trust for the 18,750-square-foot space.

Le Cirque was forced out of its East 58th Street space because of high rents, Eater New York reported last year. The restaurant closed after New Year's and is attempting to reopen in a new space, Eater reported. Rumor had it that the Maccioni family had eyes on an East 60th Street space, but a return has not been announced, according to the report.

Read the full New York Post story here.

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