The notorious West Chelsea nightclub where the actress Lindsay Lohan honed her pole-dancing skills may soon be back in business.
Real estate investor Robert Gans has purchased the shuttered Scores West building at 533-535 West 28th Street, where scantily clad dancers entertained numerous celebrities over the years, ranging from radio host Howard Stern to hockey star Mario Lemieux. (The actor Owen Wilson once pulled up on a bicycle!)
Property records show that Mr. Gans, who also owns the bawdy Penthouse Executive Club on West 45th Street, paid $9.58 million for the 10,000-square-foot venue.
That’s nearly half a million dollars less than prior owners Richard Goldring and Elliot Osher shelled out for the building in 2004—and many, many millions less than the rumored $40 million asking price.
Filings from the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission further reveal that Mr. Gans, who did not return phone calls for comment, has also spent an additional $400,000 to purchase a controlling interest in the holding company that licenses the famous Scores brand name to other clubs around the country.
A supposed club insider writing on an industry message board recently described the new management’s aims thusly: “The owners of Penthouse want to bring back the old glory days of lap dances, bringing back the celebrity draw, the great customer service, drop-dead beautiful girls, and just a rip-roarin’ great strip club experience. Really, that’s what Scores was known for many (MANY) moons ago.”
The building is currently undergoing renovations. A sign taped to the door reads: “DO NOT ENTER Construction Workers Only!”
A new liquor license for the venue is “pending,” according to the State Liquor Authority.
The infamous club closed last May after regulators yanked its license as a result of a January 2007 police raid in which several employees were arrested on prostitution charges.
