Luxury venue accused of illegally commandeering Queensboro Bridge plaza for high-price events

A new class-action complaint in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses the luxury event space Guastavino’s of unlawfully seizing a city-owned plaza beneath the Queensboro Bridge for roughly a decade. According to the filing, the venue has been charging as much as $300,000 per booking and has kept the public away with counterfeit signs and hired security, allegedly with the cooperation of one outlet Precinct of the NYPD. Plaintiffs, including Sean Basinski, describe confrontations in which security personnel removed them and police officers affirmed the private-property claim despite lacking documentation.

The suit seeks a judicial declaration that the area remains public land, an injunction to end the illegal occupation, and the return of any ill-gained revenues. Guastavino’s has responded that it recognizes the space as a public plaza and is working with city officials to find a path forward. The case highlights concerns over private exploitation of public spaces and possible police collusion.