But the Morton’s news was considered to be a concrete sign that food- and entertainment-style retailers could indeed envision a riverside bustling with people.

In January, when the high-end steakhouse was originally scheduled to open, a Morton’s official told Style that construction delays would push the restaurant’s opening to June. It’s June. And so far, the place is empty.

Morton’s was cagey about its future in Richmond. Are they coming or not?

“I don’t have any additional information on that right now, so I really can’t help you,” says Roger Drake, the company’s vice president of communications. “But no definitive information on anything regarding Morton’s in Richmond.”

Carnivores shouldn’t expect to stab a steak soon, though. Currently Morton’s is concentrating on a new restaurant in New Jersey, which is scheduled to open in September. Richmond would at least be later than that. And on the company’s Web site, Richmond is not listed as a future location.

“It’s my understanding that they’ve hired a contractor, and they’ve gotten their permit,” says Ned Roberts, senior director of Advantis Commercial Real Estate, which manages the building. But Roberts didn’t know when Morton’s would open.

Apparently, neither does Morton’s.

— Jason Roop