Samuel J. LeFrak
Encyclopedia
Samuel J. LeFrak was a noted landlord who chaired a private building firm, the LeFrak Organization. The LeFrak Organization was also ranked 45th on the Forbes
list of top 500 private companies. The development firm is best known for major development projects in Battery Park City, LeFrak City in Queens, and Newport, Jersey City
. It was founded in 1883 in France, by Samuel J. LeFrak's grandfather, Maurice.
, New York, and attended Erasmus Hall High School
. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park
, in 1940, with the University's LeFrak Hall named for him. In 1988, LeFrak was honored by the United Nations, along with former President Jimmy Carter
, for global contributions through Habitat International
. After his death, his son, Richard LeFrak
, became CEO of the LeFrak Organization.
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
list of top 500 private companies. The development firm is best known for major development projects in Battery Park City, LeFrak City in Queens, and Newport, Jersey City
Newport, Jersey City
Newport is a master-planned mixed use community in Jersey City, New Jersey, consisting of retail, residential, office, and entertainment facilities. Located on Jersey City's Hudson River waterfront, the new development is located opposite the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan. ...
. It was founded in 1883 in France, by Samuel J. LeFrak's grandfather, Maurice.
Biography
LeFrak grew up in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, and attended Erasmus Hall High School
Erasmus Hall High School
Erasmus Hall Campus High School is a four-year public high school in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, United States operated by the New York City Department of Education....
. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, in 1940, with the University's LeFrak Hall named for him. In 1988, LeFrak was honored by the United Nations, along with former President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
, for global contributions through Habitat International
Habitat International Coalition
Habitat International Coalition is an independent, nonprofit alliance with hundreds of organizations and individuals , which has been working in housing and human settlements for more than 30 years. The Coalition comprises social movements, community-based organizations, support groups and academics...
. After his death, his son, Richard LeFrak
Richard LeFrak
Richard LeFrak is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the LeFrak Organization.-Biography:Richard LeFrak was born in 1965 in New York, New York. He received a B.A. from Amherst College and a J.D. from Columbia University. In 1968, he joined his family real estate firm, the...
, became CEO of the LeFrak Organization.