Lights Out for Opium Garden?

We've received a few unverified reports alleging that Opium's contract with its building owner is about to end and the parties involved cannot reach agreement on their new annual rent. As a result, Opium is said to be eyeing the new, yet to open Gansevoort South. We asked Vanessa Menkes at Opium Group about it and she told us she's investigating so there must be some truth to it. That said, Gerald Posner, president of the South of Fifth Neighbors Association (SOFNA) tells us, "I haven't heard that, but it is zoned as the only privately owned nightclub here, and grandfathered with a 5 a.m. liquor license, so if Opium left, I think it would take about 30 seconds for the Space group, or a New York group, to come in." Which makes perfect sense for someone like, say, Tao, to set up shop here, which it itends to do in the coming century. If it's all true, of course. Update: Inside word is that Opium may have settled with their landlord and will renew their lease for another decade early next week. Stay tuned.