By: centraljersey.com
The historic building that is home to Lahiere’s restaurant was sold late last week. The purchaser of the property is ML7 Witherspoon LLC, an affiliate of ML-7, said Jeff Siegel, president of ML-7.
The real estate investment company is active in Princeton, owning a couple of buildings on South Tulane Street, including the building that’s home to the Princeton Record Exchange, and in other areas of Mercer County.
The sale of the 16,500-square-foot building closed on Friday. The property, which is more than 100 years old, includes four apartments on the second and third floors, sold for an undisclosed sum. The address is 5-13 Witherspoon St.
The assessment on the property is divided into two parts: 5 and 7 Witherspoon is assessed at $1,823,300 and taxes are $41,518; 9, 11 and 13 Witherspoon is assessed at $1,803,900 and the taxes are $40,680.
"It’s a prime piece of property, right in the center of town, it’s an uncommon building, an uncommon location and uncommon opportunity," said Mr. Siegel.
No plans for improvements or changes were announced.
Joe Christen, owner of Lahiere’s restaurant, said he intends to stay for the "immediate future," in the business his family has operated in the building at 5-11 Witherspoon St. since 1919.
ML-7 also recently closed on a 70,000-square-foot office building in East Windsor.

