Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
The Blond nightclub closes as 11 Howard changes operator
The Blond nightclub has permanently closed at the 11 Howard hotel in New York.
Guests at its final party, held over Halloween weekend, learned the news when the DJ announced it.
Aby Rosen opened the club in 2016, and it became a popular spot for celebrities and fashion figures.
Its closure came as a real estate dispute involving the hotel was settled between Rosen and his RFR Holding partners and landlord Commerz Real.
The dispute included claims over unpaid rent and an alleged breach of contract, according to court documents.
RFR handed the hotel back to Commerz Real, and hospitality group Ennismore has taken over as operator.
Rosen said he was excited for the hotel’s next chapter, but no further details about its plans were given.
The Blond nightclub inside New York’s 11 Howard hotel permanently closed after a Halloween party last weekend.
The closure coincided with RFR Holding handing the hotel back to its landlords under a settlement.
Hospitality group Ennismore took over as the hotel’s operator, according to The Real Deal.
The property’s owner, Aby Rosen, said he was excited for the hotel’s next chapter.
The closure followed legal disputes between RFR and landlord Commerz Real over the property.
- Who
- The Blond nightclub closed as RFR Holding handed back 11 Howard. Ennismore took over as the hotel’s operator.
- What
- The Blond permanently closed after its Halloween party.
- When
- Last weekend, according to the article published on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The Blond, inside the 11 Howard hotel in New York.
- Why
- The hotel changed operator after a settlement between RFR Holding and landlord Commerz Real. The article does not state that the settlement was the reason for the club’s closure.
RFR Holding and Aby Rosen
Commerz Real
Back rent
RFR Holding and Aby Rosen
Commerz Real claimed it was owed millions in back rent.
Commerz Real
Not stated.
Contract dispute
RFR Holding and Aby Rosen
RFR alleged the landlords breached their contract by violating a buyback option.
Commerz Real
Not stated.
Aby Rosen opened The Blond, which held three nights of previews.
The Blond held a Halloween party, where the DJ announced that the club was closing.
The Blond permanently closed its doors.
RFR Holding handed the hotel back to the landlords as part of a settlement, and Ennismore took over as operator.
- Club
- The Blond
- Hotel
- 11 Howard
- Operator
- Ennismore
- Former operator
- RFR Holding
- Landlord
- Commerz Real
- Opening
- March 2016
What people are saying
11 Howard is a great hotel with an extraordinary future
We’re excited to see it enter its next chapter with an operator that we trust and have a long history with who will take the property to new heights.
It was packed
No one knew. The spot was doing great, and weekends were busy with long lines. There was a great energy for Halloween. People didn’t realize it was the last night until the DJ said on the mic it was closing.