Hotel Bossert

Infobox hotel
hotel_name = Bossert

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location = Brooklyn, New York City
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developer = Louis Bossert
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number_of_suites = 224
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floors = 10
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Hotel Bossert was once known as "the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn." It was the site of the celebration of the Brooklyn Dodgers' only World Series championship.Ramirez, Anthony, (January 302008 ), [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/nyregion/30hotel.html "Hotel Where Dodgers Celebrated a Title Is Up for Sale"] . "The New York Times". Retrieved 2008-01-30]

Early history

The hotel was built by Louis Bossert, a Brooklyn lumber magnate, in 1909 at 98 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. It had an Italian Renaissance Revival-style exterior. It was desiged as an apartment hotel.Linda Collins (2008-01-29), [http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=5&id=18146 "Brooklyn’s Fabled Hotel Bossert on Market; Watchtower Seeking Bids"] . "Broolyn Daily Eagle". Retrieved 2008-02-05]

During the 1920s the Hotel Bossert was known for its Marine Roof, a two-level restaurant on the roof of the 14-story building that provided diners with a commanding view of Manhattan.

In the 1950s, the Bossert was the home of several Brooklyn Dodger players. Following the Brooklyn Dodgers' win over the New York Yankees in the 1955 World Series, Dodgers fans gathered in the Bossert lobby and serenaded Dodgers' manager Walter Alston with "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".

Purchase by Watchtower and restoration

In 1983 the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York began leasing space in the Bossert for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. The Society bought the hotel in 1988. Upon their purchase, it required extensive restoration according to the Landmarks Preservation Commission standards for the historic district. The famed Marine Roof had collapsed, and a new roof had to be built. Also, the lobby was in poor condition, and over 2,500 square feet of the marble had to be replaced. Watchtower went to the original quarry to replace it. The effort that garnered praise and awards.Buiso, Gary (2008-02-01), [http://www.brooklynheightscourier.com/site/tab8.cfm?newsid=19261436&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552854&rfi=6 "Jehovah’s Witnesses to sell Bossert Hotel"] "Brooklyn Heights Courier". Retrieved on 2008-02-05]

In late January 2008, the Society announced it would sell the building. The sale will be conducted through a private-bidding process, which could take months. One local realtor (Arlene Waye of Awaye Realty) estimated that the building would sale for in the ballpark of $100 million. Judi Stanton, the president of the Brooklyn Heights Association, remarked that “The Witnesses have done an exquisite job in maintaining the building." Timothy King, a senior partner at Massey Knakal Realty Services Brooklyn, agreed calling the hotel "one of the most unique and most well-maintained trophy assets in Brooklyn." He continued, "The Watchtower organization is well known for impeccable maintenance standards and the Bossert reflects this level of care. It will be a challenge for a new owner to run the building with the same level of care and attention to detail."

References