The 1950s-era restaurant officially closed down last October after a filing in July of 2022 announced the business’ rising costs of goods and labor. This led the iconic NYC establishment to let go of its 163 employees.
Though it appeared there’d be no reopening, even after billionaire Andrew Murstein offered $6 million to keep the restaurant afloat, it was announced back in February that the boathouse might just be saved.
And after Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced the exciting news that the establishment would reopen under a 10-year term with Legends Hospitality, the operations company founded by Yankee Global Enterprises and the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, the contract with a new operator was officially finalized by the city on Monday, April 17, as reported by Gothamist.
In other words, Loeb Boathouse got the okay to reopen this summer, and now it has partially done so!
Amidst the reopening the boathouse is offering a new cafe menu–which ranges from $4 pastries to $25 lobster rolls–a new operator, and colorful boats, reports Daily News.
The restaurant itself, however, is not expected to open until late summer or early fall due to the continuation of renovations. The restaurant will offer brunch, lunch, and dinner options ranging from spinach and cheese omelet to burgers and salads to New York strip and a Chilean sea bass, reports NBC.
“The Central Park Boathouse has been a landmark for generations of New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “When it closed last year, many worried about its future, but our administration moved quickly to keep this piece of New York City history alive. Thanks to the fast work of NYC Parks, we’ve selected a new operator so the Boathouse can come back better than ever, ensuring tourists and New Yorkers alike can enjoy this beautiful space and scenery once again.”
Legends Hospitality has committed to a capital investment of $3,250,000 towards the boathouse, plus, an additional $250,000 for structural maintenance improvements.
The boathouse itself has a rich history, dating as far back as the 1860s, but the structure we know today officially opened in 1954 and is named for the investment banker and philanthropist Carl M. Loeb and his wife Adeline who donated $305,000 to help create it.
Besides just the landmark restaurant, you could also rent rowboats or take a gondola ride around Central’s Park beautiful lake.
“I’m happy that New Yorkers and visitors from around the globe will once again enjoy the restaurant and boating at this iconic spot,” said New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer. “Better still, the new operator agreed to retain the union workers at the Boathouse and preserve their contract, which is huge.”
Watch Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement here.