Central Park's iconic Loeb Boathouse is expected to reopen this summer | Upper East Site
Central Park's iconic Loeb Boathouse is expected to reopen this summer | Upper East Site

Plan to Reopen Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse this Summer Becomes Official

Two months after revealing that it had found a new operator for the currently shuttered Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, the contract between NYC Parks and Legends Hospitality was officially inked Monday, putting the iconic venue on a path to reopen this summer.

The agreement puts Legends, which currently operates the observatory at One World Trade Center, as well as concessions at Yankee Stadium and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, in charge of the venue for the next 10 years, at a minimum cost of $750,000 annually — a license fee paid to the City that increases as the company brings in more revenue.

NYC Parks has signed an agreement making Legends Hospitality the new operator of Central Park's iconic Loeb Boathouse | Upper East Site
NYC Parks has signed an agreement making Legends Hospitality the new operator of Central Park’s iconic Loeb Boathouse | Upper East Site

Legends Hospitality will spend a total of $3.2 million in upgrades on the historic structure, including a renovation and expansion of the boathouse’s public restrooms, as well as building a connection between the upper and lower outdoor dining patios to increase accessibility for disabled customers.

ALSO READ | Central Park’s Most Dangerous Intersection is Near an UES Entrance

Improvements also include a possible relocation of an outdoor bar “to open up views from the pathways to the pond,” in addition to the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems which will become more efficient and sustainable.

Central Park's iconic Loeb Boathouse restaurant and snack bar shut down in October | Upper East Site
Central Park’s iconic Loeb Boathouse restaurant and snack bar shut down in October | Upper East Site

The contract with Legends Hospitality says that boathouse renovations could be complete and the boathouse will be available for use by the public once again starting June 1st, though that date could be moved up or pushed back.  first reported the contract’s signing.

Along with the return of the boathouse’s restaurant comes a brand-new menu — created in collaboration with unspecified ‘celebrity chefs’ —which features a pan-roasted cauliflower entree made with salsa verde for $28 and mushroom toast served with wilted spinach, scrambled eggs and hollandaise sauce for $23.

The restaurant at Central Park's iconic Loeb Boathouse will have a new menu when it reopens this summer | Upper East Site
The restaurant at Central Park’s iconic Loeb Boathouse will have a new menu when it reopens this summer | Upper East Site

Located on the eastern shore of the Central Park Lake, The Loeb Boathouse first opened more than 150 years ago and was rebuilt into its current form back in 1952.  

ALSO READ | Rat Spotted in Sandbox at Upper East Side Park

The restaurant and snack bar shut down last October after the previous operator announced it would lay off 163 employees, blaming rising costs and shrinking profit margins. 

When reached by Upper East Site, NYC Parks would only say that Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse is reopening this summer.

For updates around the clock, follow us on InstagramTwitter and Facebook

Suggest a Correction
——
Copyright 2023 Upper East Site. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast, or redistributed.

A 23-year-old woman is now charged with attempted murder in the grisly stabbing of an Upper East Side juice shop worker last week | Upper East Site, NYPD

Stabbing Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder in UES Juice Shop Attack

A 23-year-old woman is now charged with attempted murder in the grisly stabbing of an Upper East Side juice shop worker last week | Upper East Site, NYPD

UES Juice Shop Stabbing Suspect Tried to Flee as Cops Closed-In: Prosecutors