Who is Antonio Espaillat Lopez, owner of JetSet Club?

[Dolores]

The owner of the nightclub where 231 persons lost their lives after the roof collapsed on 8 April 2025 is also a mega radio station businessman.

N Digital reports that Antonio Espaillat Lopez is the second-largest owner of radio frequencies in the Dominican Republic. He is only surpassed by Juan Ramón Gómez Díaz who owns 71 radio stations, including many provincial stations.

Reportedly, he is the owner of 50 of the 219 FM frequencies, or 22.83% of the radio stations. These are gathered as part of the Radio Cadena Comercial (RCC Media) group.

Among the stations are La 91, Zol FM, Caliente 104, 100.1 FM, and more. They are managed by Mon Lluberes.

In an interview with Hoy, he had announced investments in the Jalao Restaurant in upper Manhattan. The original Jalao Restaurant in the Colonial City announced the temporary shutdown in solidarity with the JetSet...

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[AlterEgo]

Any relation to the NY Congressman?

 

[josh2203]

Question: He was born in NYC and I assume is aware of the building standards in the US as he owns a restaurant there as well. Why such negligence in the Jet Set building? He comes (or should come) with an perspective of building maintenance from abroad, so he should be doing things better than those that perhaps do not have this perspective, no?

 

[Joseph NY2STI]

Any relation to the NY Congressman?

Was wondering the same thing.
From Wiki: He was born in New York City, United States. He is the son of businessmen Eliseo Antonio Espaillat and Ana Grecia López.
The congressman's first name is Adriano, so apparently not.

 

[keepcoming]

Question: He was born in NYC and I assume is aware of the building standards in the US as he owns a restaurant there as well. Why such negligence in the Jet Set building? He comes (or should come) with an perspective of building maintenance from abroad, so he should be doing things better than those that perhaps do not have this perspective, no?

Coming from NYC really has nothing to do with the building standards in the DR. Two different countries, two different set of rules and regulations.

 

[josh2203]

Coming from NYC really has nothing to do with the building standards in the DR. Two different countries, two different set of rules and regulations.

I'm not talking about differences in rules and regulations. I just posted in the other thread that apparently the DR does not even have a law regarding private building inspection (said by Abinader). I'm referring to the fact that he basically comes from abroad, which usually comes together with having a slightly different perspective on how to do things and how to maintain your property, regardless of what laws and regulations dictate.

 

[keepcoming]

I'm not talking about differences in rules and regulations. I just posted in the other thread that apparently the DR does not even have a law regarding private building inspection (said by Abinader). I'm referring to the fact that he basically comes from abroad, which usually comes having a slightly different perspective on how to do things and how to maintain your property, regardless of what laws and regulations dictate.

Again, two different countries. You can know these things based on experience from another country (USA) but that does not mean you can apply that experience in the DR. One would like to think so but in reality, not so easy.

 

[MiamiDRGuy]

Since from wiki it says his family is the most wealthiest people on Dominican soil but I couldn't find his net worth. I believe in hundreds of million dollars.

 

[irishpaddy]

Its all about the money ......some people try to save every penny ...maintenace costs money

 

[NanSanPedro]

Its all about the money ......some people try to save every penny ...maintenace costs money

I completely agree with you, but at his level do you think he is even aware of it? That's a detail to be delegated for sure.

 

[aarhus]

I completely agree with you, but at his level do you think he is even aware of it? That's a detail to be delegated for sure.

We don't really know. But he was a business man and looking at profits. Maybe that particular business wasn't really making a lot of money. There has been a pandemic and apparently they had a fire there. They have these concerts only on mondays. That is why authorities have to oversee these types of establishments. People are trying to make a living. Business people profits. They forget about safety. They are not experts in construction. Very hard to really place the blame legally I think. It's a sistemic problem.

 

[keepcoming]

We don't really know. But he was a business man and looking at profits. Maybe that particular business wasn't really making a lot of money. There has been a pandemic and apparently they had a fire there. They have these concerts only on mondays. That is why authorities have to oversee these types of establishments. People are trying to make a living. Business people profits. They forget about safety. They are not experts in construction. Very hard to really place the blame legally I think. It's a sistemic problem.

Just for clarification, the concerts were not just on Mondays. There were performances (and music when no performances) on various days, but Monday night was known as "Live Music Night".

 

[aarhus]

Just for clarification, the concerts were not just on Mondays. There were performances (and music when no performances) on various days, but Monday night was known as "Live Music Night".

Ok but my point just is. Some people seem to assume it was a gold mine. Maybe it wasn't. It required a lot of staff. Operational costs. Maintenance of the establishment. It still looked good from the fotos and videos from the concert and prior events.

 

[keepcoming]

Ok but my point just is. Some people seem to assume it was a gold mine. Maybe it wasn't. It required a lot of staff. Operational costs. Maintenance of the establishment. It still looked good from the fotos and videos from the concert and prior events.

Been around a long time and very popular.