Hotels, condos, apartments—it looks like something big may be
sweeping into a lucrative little pocket of Halifax’s downtown.
Luigi Benigno is the proud new owner of the building that houses
Mosaic Lounge on Argyle Street and the former Seven Wine Bar on Grafton
Street. Without divulging any concrete details, Benigno is hinting at
some “big plans” for this city block.
After closing a real-estate deal with prominent restaurateurs Costa
Elles and Chris Tzaneteas, Benigno now owns almost the entire city
block between Argyle, Grafton, Blowers and Sackville Streets, with the
exception of the Marriott Residence Inn.
There are no immediate plans to develop the block, but Benigno
admits he has ideas for a “big project” that he hopes will foster a
more lively downtown. As it is, “we don’t have anything to offer in
Halifax,” he says. People are leaving the city in droves and “we have
to change that,” says Benigno.
In the meantime, it will be business as usual for bar-goers at
Mosaic. Seven, however, closed its doors permanently last Saturday.
Benigno bought the building, but the Seven restaurant brand was not
part of the deal.
Another high-end restaurant is set to replace Seven in as early as a
month, Benigno says. Together with former Seven owners Elles and
Tzaneteas, Benigno is developing a fresh and secretive concept for the
new haunt. Details on the latest venture should be made public in the
next few weeks.
Related Stories
Costa Elles gets new liquor license for old Seven space
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2009.
Yeah, a more lively downtown is exactly what the city needs. How bout opening up a couple more restaurants and pubs – I don’t think we have many of those! Hmmm, or not. Maybe Luigi should pull his head out of his ass and realize that people don’t leave because there is nothing happening – they leave because there is no work. Its the economy stupid!
Another high end restaurant would be nice though, I mean, all those high-powered corporate types that are bubbling out of every corner need a place to eat right? Why would they want to eat at the sh*tholes currently in this city. Bizarre! Fix this city please!
Uhh, “we don’t have anything to offer in Halifax” and “people are leaving the city in droves”? Last I checked, there is a lot that Halifax has to offer, according to about 99% of people who live and visit here, and we are a growing city, one of the fastest in Eastern Canada, so people are hardly leaving in droves. Just open your eyes and take a look at all the high-density condominium developments happening around town, for example. I think I prefer your older, more popular, and obviously wiser brother, Mario. Had a few too many Super Mushrooms, perhaps?
Which planet does Benigno live on ?
People leaving Halifax in droves ?????
Yeah, going home from working in all those high rise towers, hospitals etc.
Luigi Blowhard sure knows a lot about Halifax. I won’t be holding my breath for any exciting news, unless he has dreams of building a new arts centre.
I give you – Dome 2 aka Toad’s Palace.
I think that Mr.Benigno was referring to the fact that it is so difficult to develop in Downtown Halifax due to the enormous amount of red tape involved to get building permits, etc., not the entertainment industry at all. Maybe the article should be reread by the nasty people who made such disparaging comments about a man who, like many in the city, have helped sustain our economy as a small, hard working entrepeneur. A hard work ethic is a formidable quality that I doubt Mario has so that reference is quite ignorant indeed.
Apple – it is quite easy to develop in downtown Halifax or anywhere else as long as you follow the rules. Bending the rules and/or changing the rules to fatten the wallet and make profits far beyond what is usual in other jurisdictions usually takes a little more time. How about I open a pig farm next to your abode ? Bring the food chain a little closer to your table, fresh meat is usually better.