Downtown project reels in upscale Legal Crossing

Originally pulbished by Donna Goodison at the Boston Herald

Legal Sea Foods is joining the burgeoning Downtown Crossing restaurant scene with a new concept — Legal Crossing (LX) — in the $220 million Millennium Place luxury condominium building at the shopping district’s edge.

Slated to open in November, the 150-seat eatery will be different from the traditional Legal Sea Foods restaurant and menu, CEO Roger Berkowitz said.

“Same DNA, but sort of a cousin as opposed to an identical twin,” he said. “It’s a one-off design. It will have an urban neighborhood feel. It will be consistent with the quality of the level of the finishes in the condos.”

The Herald first reported Legal’s deal was in the works in early March. Berkowitz said he’s been eying the neighborhood for some time now.

“I’ve always felt the area would be a great one for what we do,” he said. “But it’s a question of timing in terms of when the area was going to be ready. There’s a lot of momentum going right now.”

Legal Crossing will front Washington Street and curve around to Avenue de Lafayette, occupying 5,600 square feet on the first floor with additional patio seating. It will be the 10th Hub location for Legal Sea Foods.

“They are proven, successful, first-class operators with an excellent reputation,” said Richard Baumert, a partner at Millennium Partners, developers of Millennium Place.

Legal Crossing and Millennium Partners also will offer what’s billed as a Hub first: exclusive service to residents of Millennium Place’s 265 condos at The Club, an 8,000-square-foot facility on the building’s first floor where amenities will include an owner’s lounge and private dining room with a special Legal menu.

It’s a feature that Millennium Partners found success with at its Millennium Tower in San Francisco, where a 20,000-square-foot Owner’s Club Level has included service by chef Michael Mina’s RN74 wine bar and restaurant since its 2009 opening.

“It’s been incredibly popular,” Baumert said.

Millennium Place condo owners will be able to dine in the public restaurant or residents-only club. And they can order off the restaurant menu or the club-only menu.

Millennium Place condo owners will start moving in this fall. Sixty-five percent of the building’s units are sold so far.