One of Lexington’s most unique and largest restaurant buildings at 2041 Richmond Road, sits empty Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. with absolute auction signs in its windows for the restaurant’s equipment. The restaurant was home for two Lexington dining spots that ultimately closed. Originally opened in March 2013 as Coba Cocina, the building was known for its jellyfish tank, but the restaurant closed after three years of operation. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse opened in fall 2018 and closed less than a year later. The building has sat empty since then.
Brian Simms
bsimms@herald-leader.com
A one-of-a-kind Lexington landmark that opened with a big splash in 2013 may be coming down with a big crash.
The former Coba Cocina restaurant building at 2041 Richmond Rd. next to Idle Hour shopping center is being auctioned off in pieces and apparently will be demolished after the salvageable parts are removed.
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The building, once known for its iconic jellyfish tank, has been empty since 2019. Auctions of the buildings contents began in December after the building was cited for code enforcement problems.
Lee Steele, director of code enforcement for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, said in October the city received a complaint about the building and an inspection found a second-story balcony had detached from the building itself.
One of Lexington’s most unique and largest restaurant buildings at 2041 Richmond Road, sits empty Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. with absolute auction signs in its windows for the restaurant’s equipment. The restaurant was home for two Lexington dining spots that ultimately closed. Originally opened in March 2013 as Coba Cocina, the building was known for its jellyfish tank, but the restaurant closed after three years of operation. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse opened in fall 2018 and closed less than a year later. The building has sat empty since then. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A second-floor balcony is surrounded by fence at one of Lexington’s most unique and largest restaurant buildings at 2041 Richmond Road, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Lexington, Ky. The restaurant was home for two Lexington dining spots that ultimately closed. Originally opened in March 2013 as Coba Cocina, the building was known for its jellyfish tank, but the restaurant closed after three years of operation. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse opened in fall 2018 and closed less than a year later. The building has sat empty since then. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Steele said Greer Companies, the property owners, were notified and roped off the area to temporarily secure it. He said Greer Companies indicated they planned to demolish the building but no permit has been requested yet.
Lee Greer, president of Greer Companies, said in an email that the building had not been condemned but “they have cited a few things and we addressed (them) including putting a safety fence below the balcony. We have no plans yet but we are working on what to do next.”
Some of the outside face, or exterior wall, of the restaurant building at 2041 Richmond Road is missing Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Gordy Hoagland, who is with Greer Companies, said they have been getting bids for the demo work.
For now, the building is under a general repair notice from the city, which has given the Greer Companies until mid-February to act.
Coba Cocina opened with jellyfish tank, chandeliers
Coba Cocina was known for its towering jellyfish tank and blown glass chandeliers. The column-shaped aquarium, 18 feet tall and six feet in diameter, contained more than 300 jellyfish. The column rose to a gold dome in the center of the restaurant, giving the illusion of sunlight filtering into a cenote. Shandon Cundiff
The 400-seat restaurant and bar, which also had a confectionery and an ice cream spot inside with a separate entrance, was the brainchild of Greer, who hoped the glamorous Latin-inspired restaurant with its Italian blown-glass chandeliers would wow Lexingtonians.
Jonathan Lundy became chef at Coba Cocina in 2014. Herald-Leader
Chef Jonathan Lundy’s Nachos Cubano, based on crispy tostones made of plantains as a base, topped with black bean, guacamole and pico, were part of a cosmopolitan Latin cuisine menu overhaul at Coba Cocina in 2014. Herald-Leader
Coba Cocina closed after three years, then another closure
One of Lexington’s most unique and largest restaurant buildings at 2041 Richmond Road, sits empty Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. with absolute auction signs in its windows for the restaurant’s equipment. The restaurant was home for two Lexington dining spots that ultimately closed. Originally opened in March 2013 as Coba Cocina, the building was known for its jellyfish tank, but the restaurant closed after three years of operation. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse opened in fall 2018 and closed less than a year later. The building has sat empty since then. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
But the restaurant closed in 2016. In 2018, a Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse opened there but it closed after less than a year.
Nicholasville restaurant owner Landon Marsh, who purchased booths, tables and chairs from the auction, said that everything from windows, doors and even the glass stairs is or will be in an upcoming auction.
So sad a Lexington staple is coming down due to the lack of quality work from the builder. When choosing your next contractor CALL REFERENCES and DO RESEARCH...
Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp.Support my work with a digital subscription
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