The Ritz-Carlton Is Coming to Brooklyn: Inside the Historic Hotel Bossert's Luxury Rebirth

For more than a century, the Hotel Bossert has been one of Brooklyn Heights' most recognizable landmarks. Now, after more than a decade of stalled plans and empty floors, the 1909 icon on Montague Street is getting its next act, and it's a big one.

SomeraRoad and Marriott International have unveiled plans to convert the building into The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights. The 14-story property at 98 Montague St. will include 62 condo units and a first-floor restaurant. It's also a milestone for the borough: Marriott says it will be Brooklyn's first branded residences.

Project at a Glance

The address is 98 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. The building is a 14-story Renaissance Revival landmark with 62 condominium residences planned. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with completion slated for 2029.

A Landmark With a Legendary Past

The Bossert's story reads like a history of Brooklyn itself. Designed by Helmle and Huberty, the hotel opened in 1909 as an apartment hotel. Once nicknamed the "Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn," it and its two-story, ship-themed rooftop restaurant, the Marine Roof, became a magnet for celebrities, business leaders, and other notable New Yorkers. Its most famous night came in 1955, when it hosted the celebration after the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The decades that followed were quieter. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, a corporate arm of the Jehovah's Witnesses, owned the hotel from 1988 until 2012 and renovated it extensively. Investors then bought it to convert it back into a hotel, but redevelopment stalled. The Chetrit-led venture that paid $81 million in 2012 defaulted on its loan in May 2022, and the site went into UCC foreclosure by 2024. SomeraRoad, a New York- and Nashville-based firm founded by Brooklyn Heights local Ian Ross, acquired the property for $100 million in 2025.

Restoring the Architecture

Preservation is central to the plan. The building's geometric brick facade, sculpted granite-and-limestone base, ornate terra-cotta cornice, arched windows, cast-iron railings, and lion's-head keystones are all being restored as part of the conversion. Because the Bossert is located within the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, any exterior changes require Landmarks Preservation Commission approval.

Life at The Ritz-Carlton Residences

Buyers will get the Ritz-Carlton service layer without having to live in a hotel. Residents will have a 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated residential services, and exclusive benefits across Marriott's portfolio through the ONVIA Residence Owner Recognition Program, alongside amenities designed for wellness and entertaining. According to one report, most of the residences will be three- and four-bedroom homes, which suits families looking to stay in the neighborhood long-term.

Dining is a headline feature, too. Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group plans to open its first full-service Brooklyn restaurant in a roughly 3,200-square-foot space on the ground floor, designed to serve both residents and the wider neighborhood.

Why Brooklyn Heights, and Why Now

Brooklyn Heights has long been one of New York's most coveted addresses: brownstone-lined streets, the Promenade, and postcard views of Lower Manhattan. The neighborhood is known for its 19th-century architecture, especially brownstone rowhouses mostly built before the Civil War, and parts of it fall within a city-designated and National Historic Landmark District.

The Bossert also arrives during a busy luxury cycle for the area. Just up the street, One Montague Place, a $550 million harbor-view tower with a jazz club and padel courts, broke ground in July and is also targeting 2029. Meanwhile, branded residences have boomed across the river, with the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Fifth Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences Nomad all leaning on hospitality services and prestige. The Bossert brings that model to Brooklyn for the first time.

For transit, the nearest subway is the R at Court Street, with connections to the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains at Borough Hall.

FAQ'S

What is The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights?
It's the conversion of the historic 1909 Hotel Bossert at 98 Montague Street into 62 luxury condominiums carrying the Ritz-Carlton brand, the first branded residences in Brooklyn. Want to be among the first to hear when sales launch? 

When will the residences be completed?
Construction is expected to start later in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2029. Buying pre-construction typically means earlier access to floor plans and pricing.

How much will the condos cost?
Pricing hasn't been released yet, nor have square footages or the interior design team. We track new development pricing across Brooklyn Heights and can share comparable sales now.

What amenities and services will residents get?
A 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated residential services, wellness and entertaining amenities, ONVIA owner benefits across Marriott properties, and a Danny Meyer restaurant downstairs. Curious how branded living compares to a traditional condo?

Is Marriott developing the building?
No. Per the official disclosure, the residences are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott; Bossert Propco, LLC uses the Ritz-Carlton trademarks under license. SomeraRoad is the developer. Q

Why is the Hotel Bossert historically significant?
It was once called the "Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn," hosted the Dodgers' 1955 World Series celebration, and sits in a landmark historic district. Its signature facade details will be restored.

Are there other luxury options in Brooklyn Heights right now?
Yes. One Montague Place and a handful of townhouse and condo listings are also on the market or in development. Browse current Brooklyn Heights listings → HERE or schedule a consultation with Darrell Williams