In a courtroom drama that blends celebrity and commerce, D.C. landlord Christopher Powell has filed a $2.8 million lawsuit against model Tyra Banks and her business partner Louis Martin over a failed 10-year lease for an ice-cream shop in Eastern Market.
Background of Smize and Dream
Smize and Dream, the ice-cream venture founded by Banks, began as a mobile outlet in Dubai and a pre-packaged shop in Los Angeles. The company’s first pop-up shop opened in Washington, D.C., with plans for a New York pop-up next. In June of this year, Banks launched a flagship shop in Sydney, Australia, expanding the brand’s international footprint.
Lease Negotiations and Signing
In March 2024, Christopher Powell met with Banks and Louis Martin to discuss opening the shop in his building. On April 17, 2024, Martin signed a 10-year commercial lease that would have secured the space for the duo. Powell invested heavily in the project, describing his commitment as an “extensive financial investment” and noting that months of planning had been undertaken while other applicants were rejected.
Abandonment and Legal Fallout
According to Powell’s complaint, the pair abandoned the building in June 2024 and refused to pay rent without providing an explanation. A few weeks later, Powell reported struggling to manage the legal and financial fallout from their abandonment. He also mentioned seeing former Vice President Kamala Harris eating ice cream at a Smize and Dream pop-up shop a few miles away in Woodley Park.
Court Proceedings and Motions
Banks and Martin sent a letter in September 2024 stating that they had broken the lease because they were promised the entire building, not just a portion. Powell’s documents indicate that only two retail spaces and two office spaces were available on the bottom three floors. The parties exchanged formal notices: Banks and Martin issued a lease-termination notice on September 9, 2024, and Powell filed a lawsuit in August.
The building was described in court documents as having “myriad mechanical, electrical, and plumbing deficiencies” and being “not in good working order.” Banks and Martin filed a motion to dismiss in November, while Powell demanded immediate payment on August 20. In October, Powell filed the $2.8 million lawsuit against School of Smize LLC, Banks, and Martin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Current Status and Responses
Powell’s lawyer, Arziki Adamu, must respond to the motion by December 30. Adamu said they have no additional comment at this time. Smize and Dream’s lawyer, Steven Jay Willner, has not yet responded to inquiries. The case remains pending in federal court.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Powell sued Tyra Banks and Louis Martin for $2.8 million after the pair abandoned a 10-year lease in June 2024.
- The lease dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding over the space promised versus the space available.
- Court filings highlight significant building deficiencies and a lack of response to termination notices.
The lawsuit underscores the complexities that can arise when celebrity ventures intersect with commercial real estate, and the legal ramifications when agreements are not honored.
