The $21 Million Secret Of 20 West 20th Street: Inside NYC’s Historic Dezer Building And Its Vacant Cabaret Space
As of December 23, 2025, the 11-story commercial property at 20 West 20th Street in New York City stands as a fascinating intersection of historic Beaux-Arts architecture and highly sought-after modern office space. This landmark building, known as the Dezer Building and nestled in the vibrant Flatiron District, is currently generating significant buzz in the Manhattan real estate market due to the availability of a massive, fully built-out retail and entertainment space that was once home to a notable, high-profile cabaret establishment.
With a current tax assessor's market value exceeding $21.4 million, 20 West 20th Street is a prime piece of the city’s commercial landscape, managed by the influential Dezer Properties. The building’s blend of century-old charm—featuring elegant, high-ceilinged loft spaces—and its strategic location between Fifth and Sixth Avenues makes it a magnet for creative firms, tech companies, and luxury businesses looking for a prestigious New York address.
The Architectural Legacy and Prime Location of 20 West 20th Street
Built in 1906, 20 West 20th Street is a classic example of the early 20th-century commercial architecture that defines this section of Manhattan. The building’s design incorporates distinct Beaux-Arts style details, evident in the elegant ornamentation around its windows and doorways, reflecting the era's emphasis on classical forms and symmetry.
This 11-story structure was originally constructed during the peak of the Ladies' Mile Historic District, a period when the surrounding neighborhood transformed into a major retail and commercial hub. While the building itself is not an individual city landmark, its architectural heritage contributes significantly to the historic character of West 20th Street, standing proudly alongside other century-old structures.
Key Building and Property Facts:
- Address: 20 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011.
- Building Name: The Dezer Building.
- Year Built: 1906.
- Building Size: Approximately 104,662 square feet (SF).
- Building Class: Class C (often indicating an older, architecturally significant structure with modern renovations).
- Owner/Manager: Dezer Properties.
- Market Value: Current tax assessor's market value of $21,436,000.
- Amenities: Attended lobby and two passenger elevators.
The High-Stakes Vacancy: What’s Next for the Former Cabaret?
The most compelling and fresh piece of real estate news concerning 20 West 20th Street is the availability of its massive ground-floor and mezzanine space. This area, totaling approximately 9,400 square feet (8,400 SF on the ground floor and a 1,000 SF mezzanine), was previously occupied by a high-end Restaurant/Cabaret establishment.
This space is highly desirable because it is currently configured with a built-out bar, a commercial kitchen, and open seating areas—a rare "plug-and-play" opportunity for a new nightlife or dining venture. The vacancy presents a unique chance for a new business to capitalize on the building's prime location, which straddles the borders of the Flatiron District and Chelsea, two of Manhattan’s most sought-after commercial zones.
While the exact name of the former tenant is not widely publicized in current listings, court documents and real estate descriptions strongly suggest the space was tied to a high-end club, possibly affiliated with the entity West 20th Enterprises Corporation or the former VIP Club New York. The departure of this tenant has opened up one of the most significant retail opportunities on the block, fueling speculation about what kind of business will take over this prominent corner of the Dezer Building.
A Hub for Creative and Professional Entities
Beyond the high-profile retail space, the upper floors of 20 West 20th Street are home to a diverse and dynamic mix of commercial tenants, primarily in creative and professional services. The building's loft-style units, with their high ceilings and large windows typical of the Beaux-Arts era, are particularly attractive to firms looking for a blend of character and modern functionality.
The tenant roster showcases the building's appeal as a central business hub in the Flatiron/Chelsea area, drawing in a variety of industries. This concentration of diverse businesses contributes to the building's high topical authority within the Manhattan commercial real estate market.
Notable Entities and Tenants at 20 West 20th Street:
- Reflexgroup / Reflex New York: A prominent creative agency and branding firm.
- Angelys Balek, LLC: A fashion or design-related company.
- Zippy Shell NYC: A modern storage and moving service provider.
- Nelligan White Architects: An architectural firm, often occupying space in buildings that appreciate design heritage.
- Various Professional Services: The building is home to numerous other smaller professional, scientific, and technical service firms.
The presence of these firms confirms the building’s status as a modern-day professional center, continuing the commercial legacy established during the Ladies' Mile era. The flexible floor plates, with units ranging from 500 square feet up to full-floor spaces, cater to both burgeoning startups and established corporate entities.
Real Estate Outlook and Investment Profile
20 West 20th Street remains a highly stable and valuable asset in the Dezer Properties portfolio. Its location on a prime West 20th Street corridor, offering easy access to the Union Square and Madison Square Park transportation hubs, ensures its long-term desirability. The building’s substantial market valuation and the ongoing demand for loft-style office space in the Flatiron District suggest that the property will continue to appreciate.
The successful leasing of the large former cabaret space will be a key indicator of the current strength of the NYC nightlife and retail real estate sectors. Whether the space transforms into a new flagship restaurant, a high-tech showroom, or another entertainment venue, its occupancy will undoubtedly generate significant local media attention and solidify 20 West 20th Street's reputation as a dynamic, high-value commercial address in the heart of Manhattan. The ongoing availability of this space is a clear signal of a major, fresh opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs.
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