I am not running this to demonize people, or smaller landlords.
In fact-- one of my best friends is a landlord, and a very good one. He owns a residential property in San Francisco ( medium size) which he constantly upgrades ( he is an award winning architect who also pursues that field --" never busier" -- he wrote to me the other day...
He also does a lot of maintenance work himself on his building. He has taught himself all kinds of trade knowledge areas, and is an expert on things like plumbing, doors and windows, and security systems.
He gets along very well with his tenants. San Francisco, by the way, has very intensive rent control laws which Ron (friend) has no problem with. He throws a party for his tenants once a year and they do things to show their appreciation of him..
He is also a tireless volunteer worker ...I won't say more about this because of privacy considerations.
Anyway, renters are not most likely going to get landlords like Ron..
And so, on to the big guys in NYC...Bloomberg's closest friends and campaign donors of course...what effect they will have on DeBlasio remains to be seen
Forbes 17,708 views
Real Estate Royalty: Mapping New York City's Billionaire Landlords
This story appears in the February 10, 2014 issue of Forbes.
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New York City’s real estate
market is booming, as residential and commercial prices rise and huge
new projects get under way. These are nine of the richest developers
with skin in the game. Not included are some of the storied real estate
dynasties whose fortunes are split among numerous family members.
Richard LeFrak
Net worth: $5.6 billion
One of tristate’s biggest landlords owns 5,000-apartment complex in Corona, Queens, dubbed LeFrak City. Grandfather Harry began developing properties in 1901; father Sam expanded business.
Stephen Ross
Net worth: $4.8 billion
Construction has begun on his $20 billion Hudson Yards, an entire neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. Building city’s largest affordable housing complex since 1970s in Hunter’s Point South, Queens.
Sheldon Solow
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Brooklyn-born son of bricklayer was small-time builder when he risked everything on 9 W. 57th Street. Marquee property now home to KKR, Apollo; address inspired name of Nine West shoe brand.
Jerry Speyer
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Father fled Nazi Germany. Jerry studied German lit at Columbia. Tishman Speyer, cofounded with now ex-father-in-law in 1978, has stakes in such landmarks as Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center and MetLife MET -0.45%.
Donald Trump
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Son of Brooklyn developer invaded Manhattan in mid-1970s. Today “The Donald,” star of The Apprentice , owns Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, 67-story Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, among others.
Jeff Sutton
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Landlord to many of city’s top fashion brands owns 120 properties, mostly prime retail space in buildings; commands some of nation’s highest rents, including $19 million annually for Prada on Fifth Avenue.
Mort Zuckerman
Net worth: $2.3 billion
Boston Properties, the REIT he cofounded in 1970 and still heads as executive chairman, owns 60% of 50-story General Motors Building at 767 Fifth Avenue, home to the Apple “Cube” store.
David Walentas
Net Worth: $1.4 billion
Bought 2 million square feet of Dumbo in 1979 for $12 million, developed into Brooklyn’s glitziest hood. Now plans to spend $1.5 billion creating new skyline in Williamsburg, also in Brooklyn.
Leon Charney
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Former Jimmy Carter advisor bought One Times Square on night Carter lost reelection. Now he owns three skyscrapers in Times Square with a total 1.2 million square feet of commercial space.
Color diamonds represent the corresponding billionaires’ key New York holdings. In some cases they own just stakes in the buildings or parts of them.
Richard LeFrak
Net worth: $5.6 billion
One of tristate’s biggest landlords owns 5,000-apartment complex in Corona, Queens, dubbed LeFrak City. Grandfather Harry began developing properties in 1901; father Sam expanded business.
Stephen Ross
Net worth: $4.8 billion
Construction has begun on his $20 billion Hudson Yards, an entire neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. Building city’s largest affordable housing complex since 1970s in Hunter’s Point South, Queens.
Sheldon Solow
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Brooklyn-born son of bricklayer was small-time builder when he risked everything on 9 W. 57th Street. Marquee property now home to KKR, Apollo; address inspired name of Nine West shoe brand.
Jerry Speyer
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Father fled Nazi Germany. Jerry studied German lit at Columbia. Tishman Speyer, cofounded with now ex-father-in-law in 1978, has stakes in such landmarks as Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center and MetLife MET -0.45%.
Donald Trump
Net worth: $3.5 billion
Son of Brooklyn developer invaded Manhattan in mid-1970s. Today “The Donald,” star of The Apprentice , owns Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, 67-story Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, among others.
Jeff Sutton
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Landlord to many of city’s top fashion brands owns 120 properties, mostly prime retail space in buildings; commands some of nation’s highest rents, including $19 million annually for Prada on Fifth Avenue.
Mort Zuckerman
Net worth: $2.3 billion
Boston Properties, the REIT he cofounded in 1970 and still heads as executive chairman, owns 60% of 50-story General Motors Building at 767 Fifth Avenue, home to the Apple “Cube” store.
David Walentas
Net Worth: $1.4 billion
Bought 2 million square feet of Dumbo in 1979 for $12 million, developed into Brooklyn’s glitziest hood. Now plans to spend $1.5 billion creating new skyline in Williamsburg, also in Brooklyn.
Leon Charney
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Former Jimmy Carter advisor bought One Times Square on night Carter lost reelection. Now he owns three skyscrapers in Times Square with a total 1.2 million square feet of commercial space.
Color diamonds represent the corresponding billionaires’ key New York holdings. In some cases they own just stakes in the buildings or parts of them.