Renowned Architects Preserving the Beloved “Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn” and Returning it to Historic Use
Internationally renowned architects Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Associates Architects (GSKA) have been engaged to preserve and return the historic Hotel Bossert to its original use as a luxury hotel destination. Located at 98 Montague Street, the Brooklyn Heights landmark, hailed as the “Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn” in its heyday, which had been privately owned and operated by The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society will now return as a cherished New York public landmark and a much-needed addition to Brooklyn’s hospitality offerings.
Originally built by Brooklyn lumber magnate Louis Bossert in 1909, the 14-story hotel played host to high-profile guests and residents and during the 1920s it became famous for its bi-level restaurant known as the Marine Roof which offered panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. In 1955, Brooklyn residents gathered at the Hotel Bossert to celebrate the Borrklyn Dodgers’ win over the Yankees in the World Series. GSKA’s proposed plan for the Hotel Bossert will preserve the iconic façade as well as the magnificently ornate and restored lobby and reception area and will return the famed Marine Roof to its use as a restaurant and lounge. The building’s mechanical and HVAC systems will be upgraded allowing hundreds of windows to be cleared of air-conditioning units, restoring the original sight lines of the building and maintaining the authenticity of the façade. The plan, which includes approximately 300 hotel rooms, involves detailed upgrading of the lighting, finishes, flooring, fixtures and furnishings in the lobby-level reception lounge, the ground floor and lower level meeting rooms, the public corridors and the individual hotel rooms reflective of the hotel’s five-star luxury and service. The layouts of each of the planned guestroom floors will be reconfigured to create luxurious hotel rooms and suites. Additionally, under-utilized back-of-house space will be reclaimed and redesigned as a lobby-level destination restaurant.
“The Hotel Bossert is an incredible piece of Brooklyn and New York City history and we are delighted to have the opportunity to return it to its former glory,” said Robert Siegel, one of the founders of GSKA. “The landmark property has been part of the architectural fabric of the neighborhood for over 100 years and it is an enduring symbol of Brooklyn’s prominent place in the history and future of New York.”
"Gwathmey Siegel is renowned for its work both with existing landmarks and for its signature additions to the built landscape," said Gene Kaufman, principal of GSKA who is leading the project team with GSKA Senior Associate Steven Forman. “The Hotel Bossert is an exceptional building and one that should be open to welcome guests from across the country and around the world. Brooklyn has not only seen a residential explosion but thanks to a cultural coming of age the borough has also become a tourist destination yet it remains underserved by hotels. The return of the Hotel Bossert will bring unparalleled luxury and treasured history to the marketplace.”
About Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman & Associates Architects
Founded in 1968 by the late Charles Gwathmey and Robert Siegel as Gwathmey Siegel Associates, the firm is renowned as one of the signature American architectural firms of the 20th century. In 2011, the firm joined forces with Gene Kaufman Architect, becoming Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman & Associates Architects, to extend its reach and provide a full spectrum of architectural services. After more than 40 years, the firm continues to be among the world’s most celebrated industry leaders having represented quintessential modernism and peerless quality, designing iconic, enduring structures for private clients, international developers and major cultural, educational and government institutions.
