Revel in the Bygone Splendor of Brooklyn's Swanky Hotel Bossert (Photos)
The Hotel Bossert has been one of the finest buildings in Brooklyn Heights since its opening more than a century ago. This year, after many months of renovations, the glamorous Bossert will begin accepting guests once more. Until you can enjoy it in person, check out this set of vintage postcards — courtesy of longtime Brownstoner reader Andrew…
The Hotel Bossert has been one of the finest buildings in Brooklyn Heights since its opening more than a century ago. This year, after many months of renovations, the glamorous Bossert will begin accepting guests once more.
Until you can enjoy it in person, check out this set of vintage postcards — courtesy of longtime Brownstoner reader Andrew Porter — that show the hotel in its heyday.
Once known as the Waldorf Astoria of Brooklyn, the luxurious inn was known for its tiptop service and swanky rooftop dining room.
The hotel was built by Bushwick lumber millionaire Louis Bossert, who tore down the famous Pierrepont Hotel at the site and erected a new, gorgeous 14-story hotel in its place. Designed by Helmle & Huberty, it opened in 1909.
Its rooftop restaurant — named the Marine Roof — became a famous hangout spot starting in the 1920s. When the Dodgers won the World Series in 1955, the team celebrated here. Fans serenaded manager Walter Alston with “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
The building was sold to the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1988. They spent a lot of money restoring the lobby and rebuilding the Marine Roof, whose roof had collapsed. The Witnesses hosted out-of-town visitors and important guests of the Watchtower Society in its rooms.
The religious organization sold the hotel to David Bistricer of Clipper Equity and the Chetrit Group in 2012. It will be reborn as a luxury boutique hotel — Esplendor Bossert — with around 300 rooms, operated by Argentinian hotelier Fën Hotels.
The re-renovated Bossert is expected to open this year. Hope its newest incarnation will be as splendid as the original.
Related Stories
Argentinian Hotelier to Open Renovated Hotel Bossert as “Esplendor Bossert”
Past and Present: The Pierrepont and Bossert Hotels
How the Jehovah’s Witnesses Acquired Some of Brooklyn’s Most Insanely Valuable Properties
We love sharing old photos and reader stories like these. Please email tips@brownstoner.com with your own postcard scans, family photos, or childhood memories of Brooklyn. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
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Hope the lobby will be a place to come for a drink and linger… Like the Algonquin – not some cheap Ikea-style place…
Wonderful.. thank you
We love these so much, Andrew. Thank you for sending them along. We’re posting another story with your Montague Street postcards in a couple of days. If you keep sending, we’ll keep sharing!