A nine-story Victorian atrium, walled off for decades, now forms the centerpiece of a downtown luxury hotel that pairs 1880s architecture with contemporary hospitality. This review examines how the hotel’s restored landmark building shapes the guest experience, draws celebrity-spotting travelers, and positions it among other high-end properties — backed by official documents, travel-editorial coverage, and guest feedback.

Last checked: 2026-08-23

Hotel Name: The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel · Location: 123 Nassau Street, Lower Manhattan, New York, NY 10038 · Distance to Brooklyn Bridge: 500 meters · Nearby Landmarks: Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center · Phone Number: +1 212 233 2300 · Brand Affiliation: Thompson Hotels, part of Hyatt

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-08-23.

Sources reviewed: official property website, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission documents, travel editorial publications (AFAR, Time Out New York), architecture and design media (Architectural Record), Hyatt-focused loyalty review site, Wikipedia.

We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify celebrity sightings. Facts about the building’s history and landmark status rely on primary municipal records and established preservation sources.

Four defining facts about The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel

1 Built as an 1880s proto-skyscraper
  • The Temple Court Building, now The Beekman, was designed in 1881 and completed in 1883 as one of Manhattan’s early tall “fireproof” office buildings (NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission).
2 Nine-story atrium is a rare survivor
3 Atrium was hidden for 60+ years
  • The atrium was enclosed and walled off in the mid-20th century due to fire-safety concerns, then restored and reopened when the hotel debuted in 2016 (Architectural Record).
4 Interior landmark designation (2024)
Snapshot facts: The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
Hotel NameThe Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
Location123 Nassau Street, Lower Manhattan, New York, NY 10038
Distance to Brooklyn Bridge500 meters
Nearby LandmarksBrooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center
Phone Number+1 212 233 2300
Brand AffiliationThompson Hotels, part of Hyatt
Notable FeaturesGorgeous design, two excellent restaurants

What is the most prestigious hotel in New York City?

The question of prestige in New York’s hotel landscape often comes down to history, location, and visual drama. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, occupies a building that the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission described as “one of Manhattan’s early tall fireproof office buildings” when it opened in 1883 as the Temple Court Building (NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission). That history gives the property a narrative weight that glass-and-steel competitors cannot match.

AFAR magazine noted that “every grand hotel has a tale behind it, and the legacy of The Beekman, located a block from City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan, begins in 1883 when the Queen Anne-style landmark, then called Temple Court, opened” (AFAR). The building’s exterior had already been designated a New York City individual landmark in 1998, before the hotel conversion (6sqft).

Editorial note on prestige: The Beekman’s prestige rests on its architectural authenticity rather than on celebrity ownership or a Midtown address. The hotel is not owned by Robert De Niro or any other celebrity — it operates under Thompson Hotels, part of Hyatt.

Is The Beekman considered a luxury hotel?

Yes. Reviews from travel publications and loyalty program commentators consistently classify it as a luxury property. A 2025 Hyatt-focused review placed the hotel at World of Hyatt Category 6, typically requiring about 25,000 points per night at standard redemption rates (Golden Globalist). Cash rates commonly fall in the roughly US$400–$600 per night range, according to the same review.

What makes a hotel prestigious in NYC?

For the Beekman, the defining element is its restored nine-story atrium. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission called it “a stunning, nine-story skylit interior atrium, an early and rare surviving example of a 19th-century office building interior.” That rarity — combined with a downtown location steps from the Brooklyn Bridge — creates a prestige profile distinct from Midtown’s newer towers.

The bottom line: The Beekman earns its prestige through landmark architecture and rarity, not through brand name alone.

The bottom line: The bottom line: The Beekman earns its prestige through landmark architecture and rarity, not through brand name alone.

Where do most celebrities stay in New York?

Several hotels in New York attract high-profile guests, and The Beekman is frequently mentioned in discussions of celebrity-friendly properties. Its location in Lower Manhattan — near the Brooklyn Bridge, the 9/11 Memorial, and One World Trade Center — offers a quieter downtown setting compared to the often-photographed Midtown hotels.

Reviews on the Golden Globalist note that the hotel’s on-site dining — Temple Court and The Bar Room — functions as standalone downtown destinations, drawing both guests and local diners. This mix increases the likelihood of spotting public figures in the public spaces, particularly at the bar.

Why do celebrities choose The Beekman?

The hotel’s design provides privacy in public spaces. The atrium’s eight tiers of galleries mean that the ground-floor bar and restaurant are visible from above, but the circulation paths are semi-enclosed, allowing guests to move between rooms and elevators without crossing the main lobby. Time Out New York described the atrium as “an architectural gem that once served as the inner court of one of Manhattan’s first skyscrapers” (Time Out New York).

Caveat on celebrity claims: No independent verification of specific celebrity sightings at The Beekman exists in the sources we reviewed. The hotel’s reputation as a celebrity destination appears to stem from its design, downtown location, and restaurant buzz rather than from documented sightings.

What other hotels attract celebrities?

Other properties in the celebrity conversation include the Baccarat Hotel (Midtown), The Mark (Upper East Side), and the Bowery Hotel (Lower East Side). The Beekman’s differentiation lies in its historic fabric — a restored 1880s building rather than a new construction — and its position within the Thompson Hotels portfolio, which is part of Hyatt’s World of Hyatt program.

Bottom line: What this means: The Beekman competes for celebrity guests on architectural distinctiveness, not on brand ostentation.

Where am I most likely to see a celebrity in NYC?

If the goal is to increase the chance of a sighting, the answer involves both location and timing. At The Beekman, the primary public spaces are The Bar Room and Temple Court restaurant. Both are described in reviews as popular downtown destinations for hotel guests and local diners (Golden Globalist).

The hotel’s downtown position, about a 500-meter walk from the Brooklyn Bridge, places it within a cluster of lower Manhattan attractions that draw both tourists and celebrities attending events at venues like the World Trade Center complex or the Seaport District.

Are celebrities seen at The Beekman bar?

The bar is a noted destination. The Golden Globalist review calls The Bar Room “popular,” and editorial coverage from AFAR and Time Out highlights the public spaces as social draw points. However, specific named celebrity sightings at the bar are not documented in our sources, so the frequency of appearances remains unclear.

What nightclubs do celebrities go to in NYC?

Nightclubs in New York City that attract celebrities are a separate category. The Beekman does not operate a nightclub; its after-dark appeal is limited to its bar and restaurant, which serve as a pre-dinner or post-dinner destination rather than a late-night venue. For club-focused celebrity spotting, travelers typically look to venues in the Meatpacking District, Chelsea, or the Lower East Side — neighborhoods distinct from the Financial District where the Beekman sits.

The trade-off: The Beekman offers lower-key, design-driven public spaces rather than a high-energy nightclub scene.

What hotel does Robert De Niro own in NYC?

Robert De Niro is a co-owner of several hotels in New York City, most notably The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca (opened 2008). The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, is not owned by Robert De Niro or any other celebrity. It operates under Thompson Hotels, which is part of Hyatt.

How does The Beekman compare to Robert De Niro’s hotel?

The Greenwich Hotel (De Niro’s property) is a 88-room Tribeca boutique with a Japanese-inspired spa and a rustic-Italian restaurant, Ago. The Beekman (287 rooms after combining the historic building with a new residential tower, per Wikipedia) is larger, has a more dramatic historic atrium, and is part of a global loyalty program. Both hotels compete for the same guest: someone seeking a boutique-in-spirit luxury stay in lower Manhattan.

What is The Beekman’s ownership?

The Beekman is operated under the Thompson Hotels brand, which Hyatt acquired in 2018. The property itself is part of a mixed-use development that includes the restored Temple Court Building and The Beekman Residences, an adjacent residential tower. No individual celebrity owner is associated with the hotel.

Why this matters: The Beekman’s prestige does not depend on a famous owner — it relies on its own architectural history, landmark status, and Thompson Hotels operational standards.

Key distinction: If celebrity ownership is your priority, The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca is the relevant address. If landmark architecture and downtown location matter more, The Beekman is the stronger choice.

Pricing at The Beekman: what to expect

Cash room rates at the Beekman commonly fall in the roughly US$400–$600 per night range, according to a 2025 luxury loyalty review (Golden Globalist). That places it in the upper tier of New York City hotel pricing, though rates vary by season and demand.

For World of Hyatt members, the hotel is a Category 6 property, requiring approximately 25,000 points per night at standard redemption rates. That point cost is consistent with other top-tier Thompson Hotels in major markets.

Caveat on pricing: These figures come from a single loyalty-focused review and may not reflect current seasonal rates or promotional pricing. Always verify directly with the hotel or official booking channels.

Location and getting there

The Beekman is located at 123 Nassau Street in Lower Manhattan, at the intersection of Beekman Street and Nassau Street. The hotel sits a 500-meter walk from the Brooklyn Bridge, one block north of City Hall Park, and within a 10-minute walk of the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center.

Subway access: The nearest stations are City Hall (R, W), Fulton Street (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z), and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall (4, 5, 6). The hotel is approximately 30 minutes by subway from John F. Kennedy International Airport via the A train from Fulton Street to Howard Beach (JFK), plus AirTrain.

For drivers: The hotel does not have its own parking; the nearest commercial parking garage is at 60 Fulton Street (one block east). Valet service is not mentioned in our sources.

The history of The Beekman: a timeline

  • 1881: Design of the Temple Court Building commissioned for financier Eugene Kelly; architects Silliman & Farnsworth selected (NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission).
  • 1883: Temple Court opens as a commercial office building with more than 200 offices surrounding a nine-story skylit atrium (NYC LPC).
  • circa 1940s: Atrium enclosed and walled off due to fire-safety concerns (Architectural Record).
  • 1998: Temple Court exterior designated a New York City individual landmark (6sqft).
  • 2013–2016: Restoration of the atrium and conversion into The Beekman Hotel (NYC LPC).
  • 2016: The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, opens to guests (Wikipedia).
  • June 4, 2024: Temple Court Building atrium designated an official interior landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (NYC LPC press release).

“For more than 60 years, the structure’s nine-story atrium — with ornate ironwork railings and a great pyramidal skylight — remained walled in, so completely removed from public view that most tenants were unaware of its existence.”

— Architectural Record

Related reading: Wyndham New Yorker Hotel Reviews · Hotel Bristol Warsaw: Luxury, History & Guest Reviews

Additional sources

amny.com, citymeetings.nyc

Frequently asked questions about The Beekman Hotel

How far is The Beekman from the Brooklyn Bridge?

The Beekman is approximately 500 meters (a 6-minute walk) from the pedestrian entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge.

What is the phone number for The Beekman Hotel?

The hotel’s phone number is +1 212 233 2300.

What address is The Beekman Hotel?

The address is 123 Nassau Street, New York, NY 10038, in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan.

Is The Beekman part of a hotel chain?

Yes. The Beekman operates under Thompson Hotels, which is part of Hyatt’s portfolio. It participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program as a Category 6 property.

Does The Beekman have a bar?

Yes. The Bar Room is a popular on-site bar that also serves as a standalone downtown dining destination for both guests and local visitors.

Does The Beekman have a restaurant?

Yes. The hotel has two restaurants: Temple Court and The Bar Room. Both are described in reviews as excellent dining options (Golden Globalist).

What is The Beekman known for?

The Beekman is known for its gorgeous design — specifically the nine-story restored Victorian atrium — plus its excellent restaurants and downtown location near the Brooklyn Bridge and 9/11 Memorial.

Sources cited

  • NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission – Temple Court Building report
  • NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission – Proposed Interior Landmark Report (Temple Court Atrium)
  • NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission press release – Temple Court Building Atrium Interior Landmark (June 4, 2024)
  • Architectural Record – The Beekman Hotel, New York City
  • AFAR – An Elegant New York Building Gets a Makeover for Its Second Act
  • Time Out New York – The Beekman Hotel Review
  • Golden Globalist – The Beekman Hyatt Hotel Review
  • 6sqft – Beekman Hotel Temple Court Atrium Landmark Status
  • Historic Districts Council – Victorian Atrium at The Beekman Hotel
  • Wikipedia – 5 Beekman Street