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The Bossert, once known as the “Waldorf Astoria of Brooklyn” and more recently owned and renovated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, will return to its original use as a hotel. It’s unclear whether this is part of a plan to try to sell the building again. According to a public hearing notice sent out by Community Board Two, a variance application was filed to allow the “reconversion of the existing community facility hotel back to its original, transient hotel use.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses bought the Bossert in 1988 and meticulously restored the building after it sat for years in disrepair. Under the Jehovah’s Witness ownership, the Bossert was used as a free hotel, as long as the visitor was a Jehovah’s Witness. The group put the building on the market back in 2008. Later that year, there was word the building sold for $90 million and would be converted to student housing. That never happened and, according to public records, the building is still owned by the Witnesses. The 200,000-square-foot building is now configured into 224 apartments. If you’re interested at speaking at the public hearing it’s Wednesday, May 16th, 6pm at the Dibner Library at 5 Metrotech Center.
The Bossert Hotel’s Past, Present and Possible Future [Brownstoner]
The Bossert Finds a Buyer [Brownstoner]
Watchtower Divestment Continues: The Bossert on the Block [Brownstoner] GMAP


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