By Alexandra Clough
Palm Beach Post Columnist
Sunday, June 11, 2006
La Vieille Maison, the legendary French restaurant in Boca Raton, is under contract to be sold for a reported $3.1 million.
The buyer: Developer Greg Talbott, a major downtown Boca landowner who seems to prefer Italian food. Talbott was famously arrested last September at Luna Pazza restaurant downtown, after allegedly lashing out at his wife, a police officer and a restaurant manager while in a drunken state.
The dust-up led to the resignation of then-Boca Police Chief Andrew Scott, who sprung his pal Talbott from police custody.
Even though misdemeanor charges from the fracas are pending, Talbott is looking ahead. He plans a complete redo of the now-closed La Vieille Maison property. It sits on two-thirds of an acre on Palmetto Park Road, east of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Talbott's plans do not include the continued service of fine French cuisine.
Instead, he's thinking mixed-use, maybe a different high-end restaurant and some retail on multiple floors. "We want to make it the center of activity," Talbott rep Robert Eisen said. "We want to light up the street."
That, of course, means tearing down the restaurant, which served its last meal May 31 after 31 years in business. Sources say the sale will be completed in August. (Neither Eisen nor Tom Prakas, the property's broker, would confirm the sale price. Talbott didn't return a phone call seeking comment.)
Savvy real estate watchers might wonder what Eisen is doing working for Talbott. Both have made headlines in recent years — and not for their prowess in land deals.
It seems Eisen and Talbott are old friends, and you know what they say about a friend in need.
Eisen once was the premier real estate lawyer in Boca Raton, doing work for all the big developers, including Talbott. When a gambling addiction led to Eisen's downfall, many developers ditched him. Talbott, however, stood by his friend.
Eisen pleaded guilty in 2003 to grand theft of more than $800,000 and served a year in prison. When it was over, Eisen emerged thinner, tanner and happier than he'd been in a long time. He joined Talbott Realty on May 1.
Now Eisen has a chance to return the favor and boost Talbott's profile, which has been pretty low-key since last year's scuffle. Eisen's no longer a lawyer, but he's still a skilled real estate expert. His job is to help redevelop Talbott's properties. In addition to the La Vieille Maison property, Talbott also owns old shops on the north side of Palmetto Park Road, west of the Intracoastal. Talbott plans to turn them into ritzier shops, offices and condos.
Eisen says he's glad to be using his skills again. "I'm very thankful to all the friends who helped me," he said.
