Bernard Spitzer
Encyclopedia
Bernard Spitzer is an American real estate developer and philanthropist
in New York City
who built several landmark buildings around the city including The Corinthian
which was the largest individual apartment building in New York City when it was built. Spitzer is father of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer
. In 2008 he has an estimated net worth of $500 million.
to New York's Lower East Side
after World War I
. They operated a print shop. Bernard received an engineering degree from City College of New York
in 1943 at the age of 18. He successfully competed with Jerry Stiller
for the hand of Anne Goldhaber, whom they courted in the Catskills.
Spitzer initially tried his hand at civil engineering but turned instead to real estate development.
Additionally, Spitzer has purchased several prominent commercial office buildings over the years, including:
According to biographers, during a game of Monopoly
between father and son, the elder Spitzer would order his seven or eight year-old son, Eliot, to sell him a piece of property, which, later in the game, the future governor could not afford. In this way the father taught his son: "Never defer to authority."
Spitzer provided an apartment to Eliot rent-free at 985 Fifth Avenue (which Bernard built). Bernard paid a gift tax. Rent from the apartment buildings in the Spitzer empire provides most of the more than $1 million income that Spitzer had reported in 2006.
To support Eliot's foray into politics, Bernard made a loan to his son of $5 million during the first two campaigns and by paying him $200,000 a year. At the time of the writing of this article, the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust donated at least $140,000 to organizations led by political allies.
In 2007 Governor Spitzer appointed Dale Hemmerdinger president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
. Before being confirmed for that position, Hemmerdinger had to resign from the all-white, mostly Jewish Harmonie Club
. It was then revealed that Bernard had been a member of the club for more than 30 years.
Also in August 2007, Republican strategist Roger Stone
was accused of leaving this message on Bernard's office answering machine during the "Troopergate" scandal in which Eliot was accused of using state troopers to spy on Joseph Bruno
:
Stone initially denied involvement but eventually resigned as a consultant to the New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee, at the request of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
who built several landmark buildings around the city including The Corinthian
The Corinthian (New York)
The Corinthian is a 55-story apartment building that was New York City's largest apartment building when it opened in 1988. It was designed by Der Scutt, design architect, and Michael Schimenti. Its fluted towers with bay windows are unusual compared to the traditional boxy shape of buildings in...
which was the largest individual apartment building in New York City when it was built. Spitzer is father of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
. In 2008 he has an estimated net worth of $500 million.
Early life
Spitzer's parents, Morris and Molly, moved from PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
to New York's Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. They operated a print shop. Bernard received an engineering degree from City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1943 at the age of 18. He successfully competed with Jerry Stiller
Jerry Stiller
Gerald Isaac "Jerry" Stiller is an American comedian and actor.He spent many years in the comedy team Stiller and Meara with his wife Anne Meara...
for the hand of Anne Goldhaber, whom they courted in the Catskills.
Spitzer initially tried his hand at civil engineering but turned instead to real estate development.
Real estate developer
Among the buildings Spitzer has built are:- 1020 Park Avenue (1962), 20 floors
- 1050 Fifth Avenue (1958)
- 200 Central Park South (1963) - A 35 story building at Seventh Avenue and Central Park that is noted for its curved walls and a driveway that angles across the front of the building (other buildings along Central Park South are square)
- 210 Central Park South (1966), a 24 story building next door
- 985 Fifth Avenue (1968), a 25-story building on the site of the Isaac Vail Brokaw Mansion
- 220 East 72nd Street (1974), a 28-story building—the first five of which are occupied by Marymount Manhattan CollegeMarymount Manhattan CollegeMarymount Manhattan College is an urban, coeducational, independent, private, liberal arts college located in Manhattan, New York City, New York with a focus in performing arts. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual...
(where Anne taught) - 800 Fifth Avenue (1978), a 34 story building at 61st Street
- The Corinthian (New York)The Corinthian (New York)The Corinthian is a 55-story apartment building that was New York City's largest apartment building when it opened in 1988. It was designed by Der Scutt, design architect, and Michael Schimenti. Its fluted towers with bay windows are unusual compared to the traditional boxy shape of buildings in...
(1988), a 1 million sf, 57 story, 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) building occupying an entire block between 37th and 38th on First Avenue - 150 East 57th Street (2000), a 34-story building
Additionally, Spitzer has purchased several prominent commercial office buildings over the years, including:
- 730 Fifth Avenue (The Crown Building), New York City, acquired in 1991 for $95 million.
- 2001 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. acquired in 2001 for $95 million.
- 1615 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. acquired in 2009 for $180 million.
Philanthropies
- Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins at the American Museum of Natural HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryThe American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
- Anne and Bernard Spitzer Chair in Political Science at City University of New York
- Anne and Bernard Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of City University of New YorkCity College of New YorkThe City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
Father of the governor
Spitzer played a major role in the childhood and the rise to power of his son Eliot, the future New York Governor.According to biographers, during a game of Monopoly
Monopoly (game)
Marvin Gardens, the leading yellow property on the board shown, is actually a misspelling of the original location name, Marven Gardens. The misspelling was said to be introduced by Charles Todd and passed on when his home-made Monopoly board was copied by Charles Darrow and thence to Parker...
between father and son, the elder Spitzer would order his seven or eight year-old son, Eliot, to sell him a piece of property, which, later in the game, the future governor could not afford. In this way the father taught his son: "Never defer to authority."
Spitzer provided an apartment to Eliot rent-free at 985 Fifth Avenue (which Bernard built). Bernard paid a gift tax. Rent from the apartment buildings in the Spitzer empire provides most of the more than $1 million income that Spitzer had reported in 2006.
To support Eliot's foray into politics, Bernard made a loan to his son of $5 million during the first two campaigns and by paying him $200,000 a year. At the time of the writing of this article, the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust donated at least $140,000 to organizations led by political allies.
In 2007 Governor Spitzer appointed Dale Hemmerdinger president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
. Before being confirmed for that position, Hemmerdinger had to resign from the all-white, mostly Jewish Harmonie Club
Harmonie Club
The Harmonie Club is an exclusive private social club in New York City. Founded in 1852, the venerable club is the second oldest social club in New York. It is located at 4 East 60th Street, in a building designed by Stanford White.-History:...
. It was then revealed that Bernard had been a member of the club for more than 30 years.
Also in August 2007, Republican strategist Roger Stone
Roger Stone
Roger J. Stone, Jr. is an American political consultant and lobbyist who specializes in opposition research for the Republican National Committee in the United States....
was accused of leaving this message on Bernard's office answering machine during the "Troopergate" scandal in which Eliot was accused of using state troopers to spy on Joseph Bruno
Joseph Bruno
Joseph L. Bruno is an American businessman, and Republican politician. He was the Temporary President of the New York State Senate and its majority leader. Most recently he also served as Lieutenant Governor of New York ....
:
- This is a message for Bernard Spitzer. You will be subpoenaed to testify before the Senate committee on investigations on your shady campaign loans. You will be compelled by the Senate sergeant at arms. If you resist this subpoena, you will be arrested and brought to Albany.
- And there‘s not a goddamn thing your phony, psycho, piece-of-shit son can do about it.
- Bernie, your phony loans are about to catch up with you. You will be forced to tell the truth. And the fact that your son's a pathological liar will be known to all."
Stone initially denied involvement but eventually resigned as a consultant to the New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee, at the request of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.