A former Brooklyn Heights hotel known for its glamorous past and A-list guests is entering its next luxury chapter. Marriott International, Inc. and SomeraRoad on Tuesday announced plans to turn Hotel Bossert at 98 Montague Street into The Ritz-Carlton, Residences, Brooklyn Heights, bringing the first branded residences to the borough. The development, which preserves the landmarked Renaissance Revival building, will add 62 condominiums and a ground-floor restaurant by Danny Meyer’s Union Hospitality Group.
Designed by Helmle and Huberty, the 14-story Hotel Bossert opened in 1909 as an apartment hotel. Once called the “Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn,” the building and its rooftop, the two-story ship-themed restaurant Marine Roof, became a hot spot for celebrities, business leaders, and other notable New Yorkers, like the Brooklyn Dodgers, who famously celebrated their 1955 World Series championship there.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses bought the building in the 1980s and used it as short-term residences for guests and visitors until 2012, when they sold the property for $81 million. Several plans to turn the building back into a hotel were floated over the years, but nothing materialized.
Last year, real estate investment and development firm SomeraRoad acquired the former hotel for $100 million and announced plans to convert it into residences.
Located within the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, the building’s architecture, including its brick facade, limestone base, arched double-height windows, and other elements, will be restored. Earlier this month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved plans from the developer to construct a 15th-floor rooftop addition as well as changes to the 13th-floor cornice and mechanical equipment. SLCE Architects will handle the design for the project.
“Working alongside an extraordinary team of architects, designers, preservation experts, and the team at Marriott International, we are thoughtfully restoring this historic property while creating a residential experience that honors the Bossert’s rich legacy and celebrates the enduring appeal of Brooklyn Heights,” Ian Ross, founder and managing principal of SomeraRoad, said.
“We believe this project will become Brooklyn’s premier residential address and stand among the finest new residential offerings in New York City.”
Like other Ritz-Carlton-branded properties, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights, will combine luxury living with upscale amenities, including access to benefits across Marriott’s portfolio through the Residence Owner Recognition Program. Union Square Hospitality Group will open its first full-service Brooklyn restaurant on the building’s ground floor.
Construction is expected to kick off later this year and wrap up in 2029. The Kantha Team at Ryan Serhant’s SERHANT. New Development is leading sales.
New branded residential developments have grown in popularity in Manhattan in recent years, with developments like the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Fifth Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences Nomad, offering high-end hospitality services and prestige. The Bossert conversion marks the first branded residence to open in Brooklyn.
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The post Former Hotel Bossert in Brooklyn Heights to become Ritz-Carlton condos first appeared on 6sqft.
