Eataly WTC debut stalled by Westfield-Port Authority tiff

Cond Nast gluttons eager to chow down at Eataly, the Italian gourmet mega-market due to open at 4 World Trade Center, will have to settle for nearby Majestic Pizza for a while.

A dispute between the Port Authority and WTC mall operator Westfield has held up Eatalys access to its 41,000- square-foot floor.

While its unclear whos at fault, Westfield has balked at taking the keys from the PA, according to multiple sources. Until Westfield takes possession, it cant turn retail space over to Eataly which will be close to Cond Nasts 1 WTC offices or other tenants.

The untimely impasse makes it increasingly questionable whether hotly awaited Eataly and other retailers in the complex will have time to open their doors this year. Westfield also has signed leases with Michael Kors, Turnbull & Asser, John Varvatos and restaurateur Daniel Boulud, among others.

The PA gave access two months ago to Westfield for Eataly and other stores inside 4 WTC and underground corridors although not to the unfinished train station Oculus. But until Westfield signs off on the handover, tenants cant start construction, much less move in, sources said.

Officials and reps for both the PA and Westfield declined to comment.

However, an insider said, PA contractors are waiting for Westfield to sign off on the work or come back with a punch list but so far the PA is still waiting. Meanwhile, Westfield is telling retailers the delay is due to the PA.

The PA only just began installing glass for the Oculus roof of the Santiago Calatrava-designed Transportation Hub, and it cant turn the vast hall over to Westfield until that jobs done later this year. But it was unclear whether the timing has anything to do with Eataly, far removed from the Hub.

The mystery of when Eataly will open is just part of WTC retail buzz, which includes the tale that Calatrava, who visited the site Wednesday, once playfully threw an iPhone at Apple staff during an argument about design changes Apple wanted made for a possible store in the Oculus.

Westfield said last December that it would probably launch the WTCs total 350,000-square-foot store and restaurant sections in the second half of 2015. Its since backed off the idea of holding a grand opening for the whole megillah, saying it is expected to open in stages from 2015.

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Eataly WTC debut stalled by Westfield-Port Authority tiff