One of New York’s most legendary steakhouses now has a new owner.
Billionaire Tilman Fertitta bought Keens Steakhouse for $30 million, Bloomberg reported Thursday. The restaurant has been around since the 1880s and its food is beloved by locals and tourists alike, including big names like the late chef Anthony Bourdain.
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“It’s a New York gem,” Fertitta told Bloomberg. Keens “will continue to be one of the best experiences in New York.” (Through a spokesperson, Fertitta declined to comment Flight report.)
Keens was previously owned by Dr. George Schwarz, who died in 2016 and left the restaurant to his estate. Since then, it has been managed and operated by the steakhouse’s employees, led by general manager Bonnie Jenkins.
“We were looking for a buyer who would be willing to allow our team to continue to operate and manage Keens in the same tradition as it has for the past 140 years,” Jenkins, administrator of the Schwarz estate, said in a statement. “I think George would be happy to know that our new owner, Tilman Fertitta, is committed to maintaining the legacy of our historic brand. Keens is one of Manhattan’s oldest steakhouses and one of the most unique dining experiences in all of New York City. 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 around the world while preserving our iconic restaurant for years to come.
Fertitta has long been involved in the hospitality industry. As president and CEO of Houston-based Landry’s, he oversees restaurants like Morton’s the Steakhouse, Mastro’s, Strip House, Catch and the recently opened Corner Store in New York. However, Fertitta himself purchased Keens, not Landry’s, and it will remain a separate entity.
Worth about $15.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Fertitta has purchased more than just steakhouses. Earlier this year, it spent $450 million on the River Oaks District luxury mall in Texas, which includes stores like Cartier and Hermes. As owner of the Houston Rockets, his footprint in the Lone Star State is significant. With the purchase of Keens, however, it also makes its presence known in the Big Apple.
