Outgoing Landlord Wreaks Havoc on Nali Patio
What a difference a day makes: Just 24 hours ago we talked to shopowners in Nali Patio who told us they expected business to go on as usual after the current management's contract ends as of the end of the day today, Jun 30.
However, last night a demolition crew hired by the exiting property manager has gone to work taking down certain sections of the complex that have been added over the last decade and a half, apparently in an attempt to return the property to its original state as specified in the original lease.
There have also been reports of someone that tenants have identified as the the current landlord personally taking a sledgehammer to shop windows around the complex, as can be seen in the video screenshots below.
At this point it’s still unclear which portions of the building complex are being subjected to teardown. The extra elevators that ran through the center of the courtyard appear to be already gone, as is the separate building just north of the courtyard that formerly housed the Spanish restaurant Karmen. Others have speculated that the southernmost building — the one that faces Taikooli South — may also be subject to teardown.
The only restaurant to have closed outright following these developments is Mosto, who posted an announcement saying that they will be closing for the time being (see screenshot below).
In spite of the destruction, a number of venues we called – including Bottega and Daruma – as well as one of our sources, said people can enter through an elevator on the north side of the building and businesses are operating normally, but that the inner courtyard cannot be accessed. Along with Bottega and Daruma, El Barrio, M Natural and Wagyukami have told us they'll remain open in the future, whereas Bei 27, Niajo, Cococean and salon My Hair are open but uncertain about the future.
A few spots we reached out too, including Agua, Swinging, and the Bell by Martini, couldn't be reached as of press time. However, according to a poster release by the Bell by Martini, it appears they will remain open as well.
No one seems to know the extent of the current landlord's intentions, or the intentions of the original property owner Jiaming, which regains management of the property on Jul 1.
When we reached out yesterday, multiple tenants told us they already have agreements to continue their lease for at least another year after the handover.
But given the current chaos, no one is really sure what will be left standing by midnight tonight. Let us know in the comments if you swing by Nali tonight or tomorrow morning.
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated with the latest.
READ: Nali Patio to Soldier On Despite Jul 1 Management Change
Images: Mr. Chugs (Lead Image, Interior Images and Video Screenshot), Uni You, the Beijingers