One of New York City’s most legendary steakhouses is now under new ownership.
The billionaire Tilman Fertitta has bought Keens Steakhouse for $30 million, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. The restaurant has been around since the 1880s, and its fare is beloved by locals and tourists alike, including big names like the late chef Anthony Bourdain.
“This is a New York jewel,” Fertitta told Bloomberg. Keens will “continue to be one of the best experiences in New York City.” (Via a spokesperson, Fertitta declined to comment to Robb Report.)
Keens was previously owned by Dr. George Schwarz, who died in 2016 and left the restaurant to his estate. Since then, it’s been managed and operated by the steakhouse’s employees, led by the general manager Bonnie Jenkins.
“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, a trustee of Schwarz’s estate, 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. 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 all over the world while preserving our iconic restaurant for years to come.”
Fertitta has long been involved in the hospitality industry. As the chairman and CEO of the Houston-based Landry’s, he oversees restaurants like Morton’s the Steakhouse, Mastro’s, Strip House, Catch, and the recently opened Corner Store in N.Y.C. However, Fertitta himself bought Keens, not Landry’s, and it will remain a separate entity.
Worth some $15.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Fertitta has been buying up more than just steakhouses. Earlier this year, he splashed out $450 million on the River Oaks District luxury mall in Texas, which includes stores like Cartier and Hèrmes. As the owner of the Houston Rockets too, his footprint in the Lone Star State is large. With the Keens purchase, though, he’s making his presence known in the Big Apple as well.
