Real Estate Industry Veteran Jack Rudin Dies

By IvyLee Rosario

New York—Chairman of Rudin Management Co. and real estate industry icon Jack Rudin died on Dec. 4 at the age of 92. He leaves behind a company that has long been part of the New York City framework. Continuing with a family tradition initiated by his father 91 years ago, Jack and his brother Lewis took over the business in 1975, and expanded its portfolio. As a builder he oversaw the design and construction of some of New York City’s most iconic buildings, including 345 Park Ave., 1 Battery Park Place, 3 Times Square, 215 E. 68th St. and 211 E. 70th St.

Jack Rudin

“The New York Building Congress will long remember the extraordinary and lasting contributions of Jack Rudin to New York City and to the building community he dearly loved,” said New York Building Congress President Richard Anderson and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Carlo Scissura in a joint statement. “Jack was an industry icon whose generosity and thoughtfulness knew no bounds. Jack’s leadership of the building industry was marked by a strong commitment to quality and union craftsmanship.  He bonded with design professionals, labor, government, contractors and the religious community alike. No one was ever left out.”

Rudin also served in the U.S. Army during World War II, having enlisted in 1942. A recipient of the Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious service in combat, he was a member of the famous American combat unit The Rolling W and helped liberate Nazi concentration camps.

“Jack Rudin was an extraordinary champion for New York City and an esteemed REBNY member for over 63 years, serving on the board of governors and the executive committee. Our industry, city, state and nation have lost a true giant,” declared John Banks III, REBNY’s president.

Throughout his life, Rudin dedicated his time to giving back to New York City. He was involved with numerous non-profit organizations, including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the American Museum of Natural History, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Greater New York Councils Boy Scouts of America, Calvary Hospital, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the New York Building Trades Employers’ Association, Women in Need, Central Park Conservancy, Metropolitan Museum of Art and many others.

In addition, he and his brother provided the initial sponsorship for the Five-Borough New York City Marathon, with the request that the trophy be named in memory of their father, Samuel, who had been a long-distance runner. To this day, the Rudin family is one of the major sponsors of the marathon, and the Samuel Rudin Trophy is awarded to the winners by Jack Rudin’s grandsons.

“New York is a better place today thanks to Jack and his family’s generosity, public leadership and civic obligation,” added Banks.