An artificial intelligence company best known for insurance is opening a 24-hour café in Manhattan, replacing a cocktail venue with coffee, drinks, and snacks.
AI firm leases space for round-the-clock café in NoMad
Corgi, an AI-powered insurance startup, will launch Corgi Café at 121 East 27th Street, taking over 1,223 square feet of retail space previously occupied by the event space and cocktail bar J. Bespoke. The lease runs through 2034, with an option for a five-year extension.
The deal was brokered by Meridian Capital Group, whose website lists a monthly rent of $14,925 for the space. While the final terms weren’t disclosed, the average asking rent for nearby retail space in Herald Square reached $394 per square foot in the second quarter of 2026, according to CBRE data.
Max Freudenberger, a managing director at Meridian, called the stretch of East 27th Street a growing dining destination. “The momentum has been remarkable,” he said. “Corgi Café moved decisively, knew exactly what they wanted, and the lease assignment allowed the transaction to come together efficiently.”
The building, a 10-story structure built in 1912, sits between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue South. It’s about three blocks northeast of Madison Square Park.
Related: Gowanus Golf Club expands to Dumbo
From insurance to espresso: Why an AI company is opening cafés
Corgi’s expansion into hospitality isn’t entirely new. The company already operates cafés in San Francisco and Atlanta, with more locations listed as “coming soon” on its website, including additional spots in New York, San Francisco, and one in London. Neither Corgi nor its broker, Newmark, responded to requests for comment.
The café’s round-the-clock hours suggest an attempt to cater to late-night crowds or shift workers, though the company hasn’t explained its strategy.
For now, the NoMad location will be the first of its kind in New York. The neighborhood has seen a steady influx of restaurants and bars.
Corgi’s lease began this month, though an exact opening date hasn’t been announced. The company’s website still lists the New York location as “coming soon.”
