Tilman Fertitta Pays $30M For Historic Steakhouse's Midtown South Home
Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire owns dining, entertainment and hospitality empire Landry's, has bought a Midtown South retail property where a historic steakhouse has operated for nearly 140 years.
Landry's Inc., an entity owned by Fertitta, paid $30M for 72 W. 36th St., the longtime home of Keens Steakhouse, according to a deed filed in city records Thursday.
Keens Steakhouse opened at the 16K SF property in 1885 and soon after became a rendezvous spot for the famous, including Babe Ruth and Theodore Roosevelt, according to its website. It is now known for its mutton chops and for having the world's largest collection of churchwarden pipes.
Keens Steakhouse was owned by physician and restauranteur George Schwarz before his death in 2016 and has been managed by Bonnie Jenkins, an employee and a trustee of the estate, since. Keens will be preserved at the location, according to a statement by a Landry’s representative.
“We looked for a buyer that agreed to allow our team to continue to operate and manage Keens in the same tradition it has been for the past 140 years,” Jenkins said in a statement. “I believe George would be happy to know that our new owner, Tilman Fertitta, is committed to maintaining the legacy of our historic brand.”
Landry’s owns more than 80 dining chains with flagship locations in Manhattan, including Dos Caminos, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and steakhouses Strip House, Morton’s The Steakhouse and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.
The company also owns and operates a variety of hotels and casinos under the Golden Nugget banner. Its other attractions include aquariums, boardwalks and boat tours.
Fertitta, Landry's CEO and chairman, owns more than 600 properties in 36 states and over 15 countries. He also owns the NBA's Houston Rockets in his hometown after buying the team for $2.2B in 2017. Forbes pegs his net worth at $10.6B.
“Keen’s is one of Manhattan’s oldest steakhouses and one of the most unique dining experiences in all of New York City,” Jenkins said. “Tilman appreciates our old-world charm and unique museum like dining experience, and I am grateful that we will continue to serve our community and visitors from all over the world while preserving our iconic restaurant for years to come.”
Midtown South is undergoing a potential rezoning that could result in the construction of 10,000 housing units. However, the property sits outside of the proposed zones.
