Hiro Ballroom and Matsuri Sold To Tao Group

It became public a few months ago that Maritime Hotel owners Eric Goode and Sean Macpherson had put the Hiro Ballroom and Cabana bars on the market. The spaces languished the past few years as Goode and Macpherson became focused on other personal and professional projects and were expected to generate a ton of interest from all of the big nightlife teams in the city. The early rumors were that the 1OAK group were the frontrunners to take it over. But in a surprise, Guest of a Guest reports that Marc Packer has signed a deal to take over both the Hiro Ballroom and Matsuri spaces and not the Cabanas after both venues close in March 2012.

Packer himself tells Eater that the spaces have actually been acquired by the Tao Group, the hospitality company he runs with longtime partner Rich Wolf. Together, Packer and Wolf own or have a part in venues like Tao, Juniors, Rue 57, Stanton Social and Beauty and Essex and partner with the Strategic Group on Lavo and the Dream Downtown properties. Packer says "we plan on doing a restaurant," but they "dont know which one yet." A rep for the hotel says it won't be ready until 2013.
· Hiro Ballroom Coverage [~ENY~]
· Nightlife Coverage [~ENY~]