TUCSON, AZ (October 13, 2025) – Volk Company has announced a landmark lease on Tucson’s iconic 4th Avenue, where a new hospitality concept is set to bring a bold and futuristic energy to the historic corridor, NEX Restaurant and Bar.
Joey Castillo of Volk Company represented the landlord, Tophoy Block, LLC, in leasing approximately 3,191 square feet of retail and restaurant space at 220 North 4th Avenue to Sihota LLC, the ownership group behind NEX Restaurant and Bar.
The property, previously home to Ermanos Bar and Portal Cocktails, closed in February 2025 after a decade of operation and had become a recognizable fixture on 4th Avenue’s dining scene. The new tenant aims to honor that legacy while introducing a reimagined experience that blends culinary creativity with immersive design.
According to project details, NEX Restaurant and Bar will feature a forward-thinking, modern dining concept complemented by Afterlife, a Cyberpunk-inspired speakeasy housed in the rear portion of the building. The venue’s interior will feature an airship-like, parametrically curved structure designed by acclaimed Tucson architects Rob Paulus and Kenneth Lowe, known for their distinctive approach to adaptive reuse and contemporary forms.
“NEX is the kind of concept that both respects Tucson’s historic architecture and propels its culinary scene forward,” said Joey Castillo, Retail Specialist with Volk Company. “We’re seeing a continued wave of restaurant investment along 4th Avenue and downtown, where local operators are taking creative risks that elevate the experience for residents and visitors alike.”
The location offers strong pedestrian visibility, as it is situated near the heart of 4th Avenue’s nightlife district between University Boulevard and Downtown Tucson. With the streetcar line, nearby student housing, and a surge of local development activity, the corridor remains one of Tucson’s most dynamic retail environments.
NEX Restaurant and Bar is expected to open in Q1 2026, joining a growing list of locally owned establishments contributing to the evolving identity of the 4th Avenue district.
For more information on available leasing opportunities, contact Volk Company at https://www.volkco.com