Lewis Rudin (April 4, 1927 – September 20, 2001) was an American real estate investor and developer. Along with his older brother Jack Rudin, he presided over a family empire of 40 buildings valued at $2 billion including more than 3,500 apartments in 22 buildings in New York City.[1][2] Rudin was a founder of NADAP, a private nonprofit social services organization that serves residents in need of the New York City metropolitan area. Rudin also contributed to efforts to rescue New York City from imminent bankruptcy during the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis.[3]
Lewis Rudin | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 4, 1927 New York City, US |
| Died | September 20, 2001 (aged 74) New York City, US |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate investor and developer |
| Spouse(s) | Gladyce Largever (divorced) Basha Szymanska (divorced) Rachel Weingarten |
| Children | 2, including Beth Rudin DeWoody |
| Parent(s) | May Cohen Samuel Rudin |
| Family | Jack Rudin (brother) |
| Awards | Bronze Medallion |
Biography
editBorn to a Jewish family in The Bronx to May (née Cohen) and Samuel Rudin,[4] he graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1944, and the New York University School of Commerce after serving as a sergeant in the Army during World War II. Along with his brother he joined the family real estate holding, Rudin Management Company, which had been founded by his grandfather Louis Rudinsky, a Polish-Jewish immigrant, who initially worked as a grocer [1] before establishing the family's real estate business in the 1920s. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Rudin family was one of the most prolific builders of skyscrapers in Manhattan.[5] In 1975, after the death of his father, Lewis and his brother Jack took over the family company.[6] Jack focused on construction and operations while Lewis focused on financing and marketing.[7] In 1990, the Rudin Management portfolio was valued at $1.5 billion.[8]
His son William and nephew Eric succeeded him running the company. William C. Rudin also became chairman of the Association for a Better New York, founded by his father[9] in 1971.[10] In 2014, he was elected chairman of The Real Estate Roundtable, of which he was a founding member.[10]
The Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is to honor his financial gift to New York University.[11]
Personal life
editRudin was married three times. His first wife was Gladyce Largever.[12][13] They had two children, Beth Rudin DeWoody (b. 1952) and William Rudin.[1] His ex-wife Gladys remarried to film executive David Begelman.[14] His second wife was Wilhelmina model Basha Szymanska.[15] His third wife and widow was Rachel (Weingarten) Rudin.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Lewis Rudin, Head of Real Estate Family and a Frequent City Fiscal Savior, Dies at 74". New York Times. September 21, 2001.
- ^ "The Real-Estate Royals. End of the Line?". New York Times. August 10, 1997.
- ^ "The Lew Rudin Way", documentary on CUNY's TV channel 75, 7/4/2016, 3:00PM
- ^ "May Rudin, 95, a Philanthropist And New York Real-Estate Owner". New York Times. July 24, 1992.
- ^ The Real Deal: "Ranking NYC’s real estate dynasties - TRD breaks down the portfolios and profits of the industry's major families" By Adam Pincus October 01, 2013
- ^ "Great real estate families". Real Estate Weekly. August 20, 2005 – via The Free Library.
- ^ Wall Street Journal: "How One Family Passes It On, and On...The Rudins' Real Estate Empire Spans Generations" By Sarah Rose April 6, 2014
- ^ New York Times: "May Rudin, 95, a Philanthropist And New York Real-Estate Owner" By WOLFGANG SAXON July 24, 1992
- ^ Rudin Family Forbes. Accessed February 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Real Estate Roundtable Welcomes New Chairman-Elect, Board and Committee Leadership" NewsSRX via Gale Document Number: GALE|A387503199. October 8, 2014. Accessed February 28, 2023.
- ^ "RUDIN CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION POLICY & MANAGEMENT" New York University. Accessed February 28, 2023.
- ^ New York Times: "Gladyce Largever Begelman, Author and Party Consultant" June 30, 1986
- ^ New York Times: "Paid Notice: Deaths LARGEVER, IDA (HAIMOWITZ)" August 8, 1997
- ^ Los Angeles Times: "Wife Of Film Exec Begelman" June 29, 1986
- ^ "Basha Szymanska Wed to Lewis Rudin". The New York Times. 4 January 1973.
Further reading
edit- Seymour P. Lachman, Mr. New York: Lew Rudin and His Love for the City (SUNY Press, 2014)