Have Stephen Starr and Joe Carroll Abandoned Their Bowery Steakhouse Project?

It appears Philly restaurant bigwig Stephen Starr and St. Anselm's Joe Carroll may have cut and run from their proposed Bowery project. Today, Bowery Boogie spots a real estate sign in the window and a listing that says the "retail" space is available immediately for pop-ups.

The pair had long planned to open what they described as an "approachable" steakhouse right next door to Pearl & Ash in the Bunker building. But the restaurant was troubled from the get go. NIMBYs argued that it would violate an agreement co-op members made back in 1987 that says the space can't be used as a restaurant. Other neighbors complained that the area is already saturated with liquor licenses.

Starr has been busy in NYC lately opening the hit Ital-Cali Upland with Justin Smilie, expanding El Vez with a burrito shop, and working with London chef Jason Atherton on soon-to-open Clocktower, so perhaps he decided he didn't need this particular headache. On the other hand, perhaps the duo have just decided to plant their steakhouse somewhere where there are fewer angry neighbors.

Eater has reached out to Starr's team to find out more.