Walter Shorenstein & family

$1.10 B

Ranked #880 in World

About Walter Shorenstein & family

Walter H. Shorenstein (1915-2010), a prominent figure in commercial real estate and philanthropy, significantly shaped San Francisco's skyline and contributed to various political and educational causes. Born in Glen Cove, New York, and a University of Pennsylvania graduate, Shorenstein served in the United States Air Force before making his mark in real estate, owning over 130 buildings, including a significant portion of San Francisco's office space. His philanthropic efforts include founding the Joan Shorenstein Center at Harvard University and supporting the Democratic Party. Shorenstein's legacy extends through his family's continued influence in real estate, philanthropy, and the arts.

Born

February 23, 1915 in Glen Cove, New York, US

Died

June 24, 2010 (aged 95)

Source Of Wealth

Real Estate

Industries

Real Estate

Citizenship

United States

Residence

San Francisco, CA

Education

Drop Out, U of Pennsylvania

Spouse

Phyllis Finley

Children

Joan Shorenstein, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Douglas W. Shorenstein

Walter H. Shorenstein was born on August 23",1915,"in Glen Cove","New York","to a Jewish family. His uncle","Hyman Schorenstein","was a prominent political figure in New York","known as a","kingmaker.\" Shorenstein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934 with a degree in economics.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Family

In 1945, Walter H. Shorenstein married Phyllis Finley. They had three children together: Joan, Carole Shorenstein Hays, and Douglas W. Shorenstein. Tragically, Joan Shorenstein, a producer for CBS Evening News, passed away from cancer in 1985. Carole Shorenstein Hays became a successful Broadway producer and established three major theaters in San Francisco. Douglas W. Shorenstein followed in his father's footsteps, serving as chairman and CEO of Shorenstein Properties. He later became the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Board of Directors but passed away from cancer in 2015.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Career Highlights

After his discharge from the United States Air Force, Shorenstein moved to San Francisco and embarked on a successful career in commercial real estate. He initially worked as a broker at Milton Meyer and Co. before becoming a partner in the firm. In 1960, he acquired the company and renamed it Shorenstein Properties. Over the years, Shorenstein Properties grew significantly, owning approximately 130 buildings totaling 28,000,000 square feet of office space at the time of his death. At one point, Shorenstein owned an impressive 25% of the commercial office space in San Francisco, including the iconic Bank of America Building.

In addition to his real estate ventures, Shorenstein played a pivotal role in preventing the San Francisco Giants baseball team from relocating to Florida. He joined an investor group in 1993 to purchase the team, ensuring its continued presence in the city.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Companies

Walter H. Shorenstein's primary business venture was Shorenstein Properties, a commercial real estate company he founded after acquiring Milton Meyer and Co.

in 1960. Shorenstein Properties grew to become one of the largest real estate firms in San Francisco, owning and managing a substantial portfolio of office buildings.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Major Achievements

Shorenstein's contributions to the San Francisco real estate landscape were remarkable. He was instrumental in shaping the city's skyline and played a crucial role in preserving the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Beyond his business achievements, Shorenstein was actively involved in philanthropy and political activities, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Awards & Achievements

Shorenstein's accomplishments were widely recognized and celebrated. He received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1991), induction into the University of Southern California's Real Estate Hall of Fame (1997), the Democratic National Committee's Lifetime Achievement Award (1997), and the Bay Area Council's Business Hall of Fame (1998). In 2013, Harvard Kennedy School established the Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy in his honor.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Walter H. Shorenstein was known for his dedication to philanthropy and political activism. He was a prominent figure in the Jewish-American political and philanthropic community, actively supporting civic causes, charitable organizations, and higher education. Shorenstein's legacy extends beyond his business success, as he made significant contributions to the cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond.

Walter Shorenstein & family: Trivia

Walter H. Shorenstein's uncle, Hyman Schorenstein, was a powerful political figure in New York, known for his behind-the-scenes influence and ability to make or break political careers. Shorenstein's daughter, Carole Shorenstein Hays, is a renowned Broadway producer who established three major theaters in San Francisco: the Curran Theatre, the Golden Gate Theatre, and the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.).

Wealth History

Timeline

1915

Walter H. Shorenstein is born in Glen Cove, New York, to a Jewish family.

1934

Graduates from the University of Pennsylvania.

1941

Enlists in the United States Air Force.

1945

Marries Phyllis Finley.

1960

Buys Milton Meyer and Co. and renames it Shorenstein Properties.

1985

Daughter Joan Shorenstein, a producer for CBS Evening News, dies of cancer.

1991

Receives the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

1993

Helps an investor group purchase the San Francisco Giants baseball team, preventing its move to Florida. Establishes the Gorbachev Foundation in San Francisco with Mikhail Gorbachev.

1994

Appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

1997

Inducted into the University of Southern California’s Real Estate Hall of Fame. Receives the Democratic National Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

1998

Inducted into the Bay Area Council’s Business Hall of Fame.

2007

Completes term on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

2010

Walter H. Shorenstein dies at the age of 95.

2013

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) establishes the Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy.

2015

Son Douglas W. Shorenstein, chairman and CEO of Shorenstein Properties, dies of cancer.

Walter Shorenstein & family : FAQs

What is Walter Shorenstein's net worth?

As of 2010, Walter Shorenstein's net worth was $1.10 billion.

What are Walter Shorenstein's main sources of wealth?

Walter Shorenstein's main source of income comes from Real Estate.

In which industry does Walter Shorenstein primarily operate?

Walter Shorenstein is primarily involved in the Real Estate industry.

What is Walter Shorenstein educational background?

Walter Shorenstein is a dropout from U of Pennsylvania.

Is Walter Shorenstein dead?

Yes, Walter Shorenstein died on June 24, 2010 (aged 95).

How many children does Walter Shorenstein have?

Walter Shorenstein has 3 children.

Who was Walter H. Shorenstein and what is his legacy in real estate?

Walter H. Shorenstein was a prominent American businessman who, after serving in the United States Air Force, moved to San Francisco and made a significant impact in the commercial real estate industry. He became a partner at Milton Meyer and Co., eventually buying the firm in 1960 and renaming it Shorenstein Properties. At the time of his death, he owned 130 buildings totaling 28,000,000 square feet of office space, including owning 25% of the commercial office space in San Francisco.

How did Walter H. Shorenstein contribute to politics and philanthropy?

Walter H. Shorenstein was actively involved in politics as a significant fundraiser for the Democratic Party and contributed to various civic and charitable causes. He was also prominent in the Jewish-American political and philanthropic community. His philanthropic efforts include founding the Joan Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University and the Walter H. Shorenstein Forum for Asia Pacific Studies at Stanford University, among others.

What role did Walter H. Shorenstein play in saving the San Francisco Giants?

Walter H. Shorenstein played a crucial role in preserving San Francisco's Major League Baseball team by helping an investor group purchase the San Francisco Giants in 1993, effectively preventing its move to Florida.

Can you tell me about Walter H. Shorenstein's family and their contributions?

Walter H. Shorenstein married Phyllis Finley in 1945 and had three children: Joan, Carole Shorenstein Hays, and Douglas W. Shorenstein. Joan was a producer for CBS Evening News but died of cancer in 1985. Carole is a Broadway producer who established three major theaters in San Francisco. Douglas was chairman and CEO of Shorenstein Properties and served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Board of Directors until his death from cancer in 2015.

What awards and honors did Walter H. Shorenstein receive throughout his career?

Throughout his career, Walter H. Shorenstein received numerous awards and honors including the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1991), induction into the University of Southern California’s Real Estate Hall of Fame (1997), the Democratic National Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award (1997), inclusion in the Bay Area Council’s Business Hall of Fame (1998), and posthumously, Harvard Kennedy School established the Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy (2013).