Hotel Bossert
98 Montague Street | Brooklyn Heights | built 1909
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1909
Louis Bossert, a Brooklyn lumber magnate, opens the Hotel Bossert on Montague Street
Louis Bossert built the hotel in 1909 at 98 Montague Street, with an Italian Renaissance Revival exterior designed by Helmle & Huberty. It began as an apartment hotel with 375 hotel rooms. The hotel later acquired the nickname "the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn."
“The hotel was built in 1909 by Louis Bossert, a Brooklyn lumber magnate, at 98 Montague Street... The architects were Helmle & Huberty.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1930
Freddy Martin builds his following at the hotel's rooftop Marine Roof
In the 1920s the 14-story hotel was known for the Marine Roof, a two-level rooftop restaurant with a view of Manhattan. Bandleader Freddy Martin gained popularity through a long stint there in the early 1930s. Some of his earliest recordings, in a sweet 'tenor band' dance style, were credited only to the Hotel Bossert Orchestra.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1945
The governor of American Samoa dies in his room at the Bossert, and a former congressman a month later
In November 1945, Charles Armijo Woodruff, the 11th Governor of American Samoa, died in his room at the hotel; the source records it as a suicide by hanging. A month afterward, Thomas F. Magner, a former congressman, died at the hotel too.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1955
Dodgers fans serenade manager Walter Alston in the Bossert lobby after the World Series win
In the 1950s the Bossert was home to several Brooklyn Dodgers players. After the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series, the team's only championship in Brooklyn, fans gathered in the lobby and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" to manager Walter Alston.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1988
The Watchtower Society buys the hotel and restores its marble lobby
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society began leasing space in the Bossert in 1983 for Jehovah's Witnesses and bought the building in 1988. The Marine Roof had collapsed, so a new roof was built, and over 2,500 square feet of lobby marble was replaced with stone from the original quarry. The restoration drew praise and awards.
Source: Wikipedia
- 2025
SomeraRoad buys the vacant Hotel Bossert for $100 million to convert it to apartments
After a 2012 sale to David Bistricer and Joseph Chetrit, repeated hotel-opening dates passed and the property went into foreclosure. The lender, Beach Point Capital Management, was the only bidder at a February 2025 auction. In May 2025 SomeraRoad bought the building for $100 million, planning 60 to 70 residences and a restaurant.
“In May 2025, SomeraRoad acquired the Bossert, paying $100 million with the intention of turning it into apartments.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2026
Landmarks Commission approves a rooftop floor as the Bossert is rebranded Ritz-Carlton Residences
At its September 1, 2026 meeting the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously backed revised plans by SLCE Architects to add a 15th floor and a courtyard to the hotel. Developer SomeraRoad and Marriott announced that the restored hotel will reopen as the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights, which Brownstoner says will be Brooklyn's first branded condo development. Construction is slated to finish in 2029.
Source: brownstoner.com
Further reading
- Hotel BossertWikipedia
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