Historic Hotel Bossert Set for Luxury Condo Conversion as Ritz-Carlton Residences

The former Hotel Bossert at 98 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights will be redeveloped into the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights. The project is being led by developer SomeraRoad in partnership with Marriott International. Construction is slated to begin later this year, with the first units expected to be completed in 2029. In addition to residential units, the ground floor will host a public restaurant operated by the Union Square Hospitality Group.

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Built in 1909, the eight-story hotel exemplifies Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, featuring a geometric brick façade, sculpted granite and limestone base, ornate terra-cotta cornice, arched double-height windows, cast-iron railings and lion’s-head keystones. The building resides within Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood designated a National Historic Landmark and New York City’s first historic district in 1965.

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The Bossert conversion reflects a broader shift toward repurposing existing structures. The American Institute of Architects notes that roughly half of the United States’ 125 million buildings are at least 50 years old. Reusing such buildings can avoid 50 to 75 percent of the carbon emissions associated with new construction, underscoring the sustainability benefits of adaptive reuse. Architect Gordon Gill has argued that the future of architecture lies in “refreshing” the existing building stock rather than constructing taller towers.

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Ian Ross, founder and managing principal of SomeraRoad, says the team is restoring the historic property while creating a residential experience that honors the Bossert’s legacy and the appeal of Brooklyn Heights. Real-estate agent Jessica Peters of Douglas Elliman describes the project as a “full-circle moment,” noting that the building’s original function as an “apartment hotel” makes the conversion relatively straightforward. Both view the redevelopment as a means to keep the landmark active within the urban fabric while meeting contemporary housing needs.

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• “We are thoughtfully restoring this historic property while creating a residential experience that honors the Bossert's rich legacy and celebrates the enduring appeal of Brooklyn Heights.” — Ian Ross, the founder and managing principal of SomeraRoad

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• “It's the existing building stock you have to keep your eye on … refreshing that stock and keeping them relevant, part of the sustainability legacy,” — Gordon Gill, the architect behind the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia

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• “Progress is unstoppable, especially in a city that never sleeps. Needs change with the times, and when older structures struggle to find purpose, a thoughtful conversion is also the best path to preservation.” — Jessica Peters

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