The official word is that age alone is the culprit for a hole in the side of the Sorento's building.

“Over time things weaken," said Building Commissioner Michael Mendoza who explained that the mortar used to hold bricks together can turn into sand with time. “What happens between the surface of the bricks on the other side of the wall you really can’t get to.”

That is the cause of the hole in the wall which has shut down half the seating in the restaurant as well as a section of Court Street. The hole has been in the wall since last week and is currently covered by a tarp.

“We have the street blocked off in case any more of the wall decides to separate from the building," said Mendoza who explained a structural engineer is looking into how they will repair the building.

All the seating in the restaurant will be back this weekend following interior reinforcements, said restaurant staff.

The rest of the building will have to be examined once that interior reinforcement is done, said Mendoza.

"The outside wall is a different story," he said explaining that there are a lot of questions about the building. “We have to make sure it’s safe first."