Sheldon Solow

$4.20 B

Ranked #426 in World

About Sheldon Solow

Sheldon Henry Solow, a prominent American real estate developer and notable art collector, who left an indelible mark on New York City's skyline, passed away at 92 from lymphoma on November 17, 2020. Born in Brooklyn to a Jewish family, Solow built a formidable $4.4 billion empire, initiating with a 72-family apartment building purchase in 1950. His groundbreaking projects include the iconic 50-story office building at 9 West 57th Street and a 42-story residential complex at 685 First Avenue, completed in 2018. A litigant in several high-profile lawsuits, Solow also amassed a significant art collection, famously setting a record with the sale of Giacometti's "L'homme au doigt" for $126.1 million. His legacy continues through his son Stefan Soloviev, who oversees the Solow Building Co. and his distinguished art collection.

Born

July 20, 1928 in New York City, U.S.

Died

November 17, 2020 (aged 92)

Source Of Wealth

Real Estate

Industries

Real Estate

Citizenship

United States

Education

High School Graduate, High School; New York University

Spouse

Mia Fonssagrives

Children

2, including Stefan Soloviev

Sheldon Henry Solow was born on May 22, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York City, into a Jewish family. His parents were Isaac, a bricklayer, and Jennie Brill, a homemaker. Solow grew up in Brooklyn and attended New York University to study engineering and architecture. However, he dropped out in 1949 before completing his degree.

Sheldon Solow: Family

Sheldon Solow was married to sculptor and jewelry designer Mia Fonssagrives-Solow. Together, they had two children: Stefan Soloviev, who currently runs the Solow Building Co. and Crossroads Agriculture, and Ivana Solow.

Sheldon Solow: Career Highlights

Solow's real estate career began in 1950 when he acquired his first property, a 72-family apartment building in Far Rockaway. He went on to develop shopping centers and homes on Long Island. In 1962, he established an office on Park Avenue and began developing luxury apartments on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

One of Solow's most notable achievements was the secret acquisition of 14 buildings on 57th Street from 1965 onwards. Using a dummy company, he amassed these properties for the purpose of constructing a high-rise residence. In the 1970s, he collaborated with architect Gordon Bunshaft to build the iconic 50-story office building at 9 West 57th Street.

In the early 2000s, Solow made a significant real estate investment by purchasing 9.2 acres of land along the East River near the United Nations headquarters for $600 million. This land would later become the site of a 42-story residential development at 685 First Avenue, which broke ground in 2016 and was completed in 2018.

Sheldon Solow: Companies

Sheldon Solow was the founder and chairman of the Solow Building Company, a prominent real estate development firm based in New York City. The company is responsible for the development of numerous residential and commercial properties, including the iconic 9 West 57th Street office building.

Sheldon Solow: Major Achievements

Solow's major achievements include the development of luxury apartments on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the construction of the 50-story office building at 9 West 57th Street, and the acquisition of 9.2 acres of land along the East River for a major residential development.

Sheldon Solow: Awards & Achievements

Sheldon Solow received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the real estate industry and the arts.

He was inducted into the New York Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2008 and was also recognized by the American Institute of Architects for his outstanding contributions to architecture.

Sheldon Solow: Personal Life & Legacy

Solow was known for his extensive collection of modernist and renaissance art. He owned several valuable artworks, including paintings by Francis Bacon, Joan Miró, and Amedeo Modigliani, as well as a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti. In 2015, he set a world record for the most expensive sculpture ever sold when he sold Giacometti's "L'homme au doigt" for $126.1 million.

Solow established the Solow Art and Architecture Foundation, through which he passed control of his art collection to his son Stefan. He was also actively involved in philanthropic activities and supported various educational and cultural institutions.

Sheldon Solow: Death

Sheldon Solow passed away from lymphoma at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City on November 17, 2020, at the age of 92. He left behind a significant legacy as a successful real estate developer and art collector.

Sheldon Solow: Trivia

Solow was known for his litigious nature and was involved in numerous lawsuits throughout his life.
He sued Avon Products for referring to 9 West 57th Street as the "Avon Building," which was settled out of court.
Solow also sued his friend Peter Kalikow over a loan repayment, but the case was dismissed.
He suffered significant losses in the Libor scandal, leading to legal battles with Citibank.

Wealth History

Timeline

1928

Sheldon Henry Solow is born into a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York City.

1949

Solow drops out of New York University after studying engineering and architecture.

1950

Solow acquires his first property, a 72-family apartment building in Far Rockaway.

1962

Solow establishes an office in Park Avenue while developing luxury apartments on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

1965

Solow begins secretly acquiring 14 buildings on 57th Street for a high-rise residence using a dummy company.

1970s

Solow builds a 50-story office building at 9 West 57th Street with architect Gordon Bunshaft.

Early 2000s

Solow purchases 9.2 acres of land along the East River near the United Nations headquarters for $600 million.

2016

Solow breaks ground on a 42-story residential development at 685 First Avenue, completed in 2018.

2015

Solow sets a world record for the most expensive sculpture ever sold with Giacometti's "L'homme au doigt" for $126.1 million.

November 17, 2020

Sheldon Henry Solow passes away from lymphoma at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City at the age of 92.

Sheldon Solow : FAQs

What is Sheldon Solow's net worth?

As of 2020, Sheldon Solow's net worth was $4.20 billion.

What are Sheldon Solow's main sources of wealth?

Sheldon Solow's main source of income comes from Real Estate.

In which industry does Sheldon Solow primarily operate?

Sheldon Solow is primarily involved in the Real Estate industry.

What is Sheldon Solow educational background?

Sheldon Solow holds a High School Graduate from High School and a New York University.

Is Sheldon Solow dead?

Yes, Sheldon Solow died on November 17, 2020 (aged 92).

How many children does Sheldon Solow have?

Sheldon Solow has 2 children.

What is Sheldon Solow's background and education?

Sheldon Solow was born and raised in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York City, to parents Isaac (a bricklayer) and Jennie Brill (a homemaker). He attended New York University for engineering and architecture but dropped out in 1949.

Can you outline Sheldon Solow's career and achievements in real estate?

Sheldon Solow began his career by acquiring a 72-family apartment building in 1950. He developed a shopping center and homes on Long Island, established an office on Park Avenue in 1962, and developed luxury apartments in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Notably, in the 1970s, he built a 50-story office building at 9 West 57th Street. In the early 2000s, he purchased land near the UN headquarters for $600 million, and in 2016, he broke ground on a 42-story residential development at 685 First Avenue, completed in 2018.

What were some of the key legal battles that Sheldon Solow faced?

Throughout his life, Sheldon Solow was involved in numerous lawsuits, including suing Avon Products for calling 9 West 57th Street the 'Avon Building,' a legal dispute with Peter Kalikow over a loan repayment, a lawsuit against Conseco related to the sale of the General Motors Building, and legal battles with Citibank following losses in the Libor scandal.

What was Sheldon Solow known for in his personal life and as an art collector?

Sheldon Solow was married to Mia Fonssagrives-Solow, a sculptor and jewelry designer, and they had two children. He was an extensive collector of modernist and renaissance art, selling several valuable artworks and establishing the Solow Art and Architecture Foundation. He set a world record with the sale of Alberto Giacometti's sculpture 'L'homme au doigt' for $126.1 million in 2015, passing control of his collection to his son Stefan.