19 Kenmare Sells for $10 M.; What Will Become of Little Charlie's in Little Italy?

The future of Little Charlie's Clam House, a Little Italy mainstay, may be in question after the building that houses it was recently sold.

On April 30, the 14,000-quare-foot, six-story building at 19 Kenmare Street was sold for approximately $10 million, according to James Famularo of New York Commercial Realty Services. David Zahabian, who also owns 521 Broadway among other buildings, was the buyer.

"We've been negotiating for about eight months," Famularo told The Real Estate. "They have been grueling negotiations."

And perhaps for good reason. The building dates to 1900, and Little Charlie's has been serving up linguini with red clam sauce on the ground-floor since 1926. Joseph Filipazzo bought the building in the early 20th century, and it was passed down in the family from generation to generation. When reached for comment, the former owner, Charles Filipazzo, was brief.

"It sold. Goodbye," he said before hanging up.

Mr. Zahabian is still deciding what he is going to do with 19 Kenmare. Many of the apartments on the upper floors have already been renovated, according to Mr. Famularo, but the ground-floor is considered prime retail space.

"David is in talks with a number of different companies," Mr. Famularo said. "But Little Charlie's is like a seafood version of Katz's Deli, so he may end up just expanding it."