Celebrity chef Todd English, who owes more than $1 million in back rent and other charges related to his Kingfish Hall restaurant, left the space with thousands of dollars in damage after shuttering the location at Faneuil Hall Marketplace several weeks ago.
Photos obtained by the Globe show what appear to be ripped ceiling tiles, torn duct work, exposed wires, and garbage strewn throughout the historic property, which is owned by the City of Boston.
“Most people would expect the property would be left in a reasonable condition,” said Brenda McKenzie, economic development director for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. “This is atypical.”
Advertisement
A spokeswoman for English said a crew is working to clean up the site of the restaurant he operated for more than decade, and expects to finish the job Monday. Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., which leases the marketplace from the city, declined to comment.
“He vandalized the city-owned historical property leaving it nearly unleasable,” said Carol Troxell, with the Faneuil Hall Merchants Association. “It was truly disgusting,” she added.
The merchants association said it is considering bringing a lawsuit against English for not paying dues to the group totaling at least $200,000 over several years.
General Growth Properties, which operated Faneuil Hall Marketplace until October, filed a lawsuit last week that accuses English of failing to pay more than $1 million in rent and other charges, despite a judgment entered against him more than a year ago in Boston Municipal Court.
General Growth began eviction procedures earlier in 2011 after Kingfish Hall fell behind in rent.
English’s troubles at Faneuil Hall Marketplace are sufacing as he tries to promote the reopening of his popular Charlestown restaurant, Olives, which closed for a lengthy period for repairs after a grease fire that caused an estimated $200,000 in damage.
Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @jennabelson.
Advertisement