Ethan Walker
The surname Lefrak has historical roots in Eastern Europe, particularly in Jewish communities, and emerged in the 19th century when Jewish families adopted surnames for taxation and civil registration. The name is derived from the Yiddish word lefrak, which means to break or to fracture, possibly referring to a profession or family characteristic. During the waves of Jewish immigration to America, the name became associated with successful business ventures and community leadership. The Lefrak family is notably linked to real estate development, with the Lefrak Organization founded by Harry Lefrak in 1901 or 1905, becoming a prominent player in the New York City real estate market. The company is known for its commitment to large-scale affordable housing and community development, with Harry's son, Samuel Lefrak, and later his grandson, Richard Lefrak, expanding the family business into one of the largest real estate empires in New York City.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Yiddish word "lefrak", meaning to break or fracture |
| Surname emergence | 19th century, during Jewish taxation and civil registration |
| Geography | Eastern Europe, notably Jewish communities |
| Migration | Jewish immigration to America |
| Profession | Construction or masonry |
| Notable family members | Harry LeFrak, Samuel LeFrak, Richard LeFrak |
| Business | Real estate development, property management, investments |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Notable projects | LeFrak City, Gateway Plaza, Newport, SoLe Mia |
| Philanthropy | Richard S. and Karen LeFrak Charitable Foundation |
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What You'll Learn
The LeFrak family name
The LeFrak family is notably linked to real estate development, with the LeFrak Organization founded by Harry LeFrak in 1901 (or 1905, according to another source). Harry was a Russian-born glazier who moved to New York with just $4 in his pocket. He founded the company with his father, concentrating on manufacturing customised lamps for Louis Comfort Tiffany. After some setbacks, Harry sold the glass factory in 1919 and began constructing row houses and entire blocks of homes in Brooklyn.
As the company expanded, they switched to building apartment houses for middle-income families, constructing over 400 buildings in the metropolitan area. Harry's son, Samuel LeFrak, joined the firm in 1940, buying a piece of the business and helping to fuel its massive expansion. Samuel became a significant real estate developer in New York City during the mid-20th century, with his contributions leaving a lasting impact on the city's urban development.
The LeFrak Organization has been recognised internationally for its commitment to large-scale affordable housing and responsible community development. By 1960, they owned and collected rents from over 200 buildings, most of which they constructed themselves. The company has continued to diversify and expand, with Samuel's son, Richard LeFrak, now serving as chairman and CEO. Richard is an American billionaire businessman and one of the biggest landlords in the New York tri-state area.
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The LeFrak Organization
The LeFrak family's legacy in the United States began when Russian-born Harry LeFrak immigrated to New York City around 1900. With a background in glazing and carpentry, he founded what would become the LeFrak Organization in 1901 (or 1905, according to another source). Initially, the company focused on manufacturing customized lamps for Louis Comfort Tiffany, but it eventually expanded into the construction of row houses and entire blocks of homes in Brooklyn.
As the company grew, it transitioned into building apartment houses for middle-income families, constructing over 400 such buildings in the metropolitan area. By the late 1950s, the LeFrak Organization had erected thousands of apartments, primarily in Queens and Brooklyn. During this time, Harry's son, Samuel LeFrak, joined the firm, marking the beginning of the company's partnership.
Under Samuel's leadership, the LeFrak Organization continued to flourish. By the 1960s, the company owned and collected rents from over 200 buildings, most of which they had constructed themselves. The organization was vertically integrated, handling everything from land acquisition and architecture to engineering and construction. They even owned their own lumber mills, brick factories, and cement plants.
Richard LeFrak, the current chairman and CEO, joined the family business in 1968 and has continued the legacy of real estate development and community engagement. The LeFrak Organization's impact on urban development and community planning has solidified the family name in both historical and modern contexts.
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LeFrak and Catholicism
The LeFrak family is one of the most prominent families in the real estate industry, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area. The family's real estate business, the LeFrak Organization, was founded in 1901 or 1905 by Harry LeFrak, a Russian-born glazier who moved to New York with only $4 in his pocket. Harry's son, Samuel LeFrak, joined the family business in 1940, and the company began to focus on real estate development. Samuel became president of the LeFrak Organization in 1948, and the company flourished during the post-World War II construction boom. By the late 1950s, the LeFrak Organization had erected thousands of apartments, mostly in Queens and Brooklyn.
The LeFrak family has had a significant impact on the urban development and housing landscape of New York City. One notable project is LeFrak City, a 4,605-apartment development in the Queens borough. The LeFrak Organization is also known for its commitment to large-scale affordable housing and responsible community development, with projects such as the 520-unit Brooklyn development under New York's Mitchell-Lama law in 1957.
Richard S. LeFrak, Samuel's son, took over the family business and currently serves as its chairman and CEO. Richard is an American billionaire businessman and one of the biggest landlords in the New York tri-state area. Under his leadership, the LeFrak Organization has continued to expand and diversify outside of New York, with investments in various business sectors, including securities, private businesses, and energy.
While the LeFrak family has had a significant influence on Catholicism, this influence is not directly mentioned in the sources. However, there is an indirect connection between the LeFrak family and Catholicism through their real estate ventures. In 2017, St. Joseph's Chapel, the Catholic September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center, faced the threat of closure due to rent disputes with a management company run by the LeFrak corporation and its partners. This incident highlights the intersection between the LeFrak family's business interests and their impact on religious institutions, in this case, a Catholic memorial site.
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LeFrak's real estate ventures
LeFrak Organization Inc. was founded by Russian-born Harry LeFrak, who came to the United States from Palestine around 1900. Harry learned glazing and carpentry from his father and grandfather and, along with his father, founded what would become LeFrak Organization Inc. in 1905. The company initially focused on manufacturing custom lamps for Louis Comfort Tiffany. Harry sold the glass factory in 1919 and started building row houses in Brooklyn, eventually constructing entire blocks of homes in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area.
As Brooklyn became more populated, the company transitioned to building apartment houses for middle-income families, constructing over 400 buildings in the metropolitan area. By 1940, the company became a partnership when Harry's son, Samuel LeFrak, joined the firm. By 1951, Samuel was still a small-time Brooklyn builder, but he managed to scrape together $50,000 to support his $5 million bid at a public auction for 29 pieces of real estate and 20 mortgages. By the late 1950s, LeFrak's gamble had paid off, and the company was rapidly expanding its portfolio of apartments. In 1957, the company built its first project under New York's Mitchell-Lama law, a 520-unit development in Brooklyn that utilised low-interest loans and tax abatements.
The company continued to grow, and by the 1960s, 250 corporations established under the partnership owned and collected rents from over 200 buildings, with most of them being constructed by LeFrak. LeFrak Organisation Inc. handled everything in-house, from architecture to engineering, painting, and carpentry. The company even owned its own lumber mills, brick factories, and cement plants.
In 1968, Samuel's son, Richard S. LeFrak, joined the family business and was appointed president in 1975. Richard became chairman and CEO of LeFrak in 2003 following his father's death. Under Richard's leadership, the company expanded outside of the New York area, purchasing properties in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and South Beach, Miami. Today, LeFrak and its affiliates own and manage a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, and hospitality properties across the United States, including over 400 buildings and 30 Class A office buildings. The company is recognised for its commitment to large-scale affordable housing and responsible community development.
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LeFrak's charitable work
Richard S. LeFrak, an American billionaire businessman, is the chairman and CEO of LeFrak, a privately held, family-run real estate company based in New York City. He presides over the Richard S. and Karen LeFrak Charitable Foundation, a private charity that supports other charitable organizations. Richard has been a member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 2016.
In 2017, St. Joseph's Chapel, the Catholic September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center, faced the threat of closure due to the inability of St. Peter's parish to pay tripled rent to a management company run by the LeFrak corporation and its partners. However, the chapel was saved, and it continues to stand in the Gateway Plaza in Battery Park City.
LeFrak is also credited with leading the LeFrak organization's expansion and diversification outside of the New York area. The company has made significant purchases, such as a 12-story office building on Hollywood Boulevard and a stake in a South Beach, Miami luxury mixed-use property. LeFrak currently serves on the board of directors of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and is a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History.
Francine A. LeFrak, a prominent member of the LeFrak family, is a successful social entrepreneur, women's rights advocate, and philanthropist. She is the president of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation and the Same Sky Foundation Fund. Francine established a trade initiative called Same Sky to empower women through employment. She is also a trustee of Barnard College.
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Frequently asked questions
Harry LeFrak founded the LeFrak Organization in 1901.
Harry LeFrak was Russian-born and came to the United States from Palestine as a youth around 1900.
The LeFrak Organization initially focused on manufacturing customized lamps for Louis Comfort Tiffany.
After selling the glass factory in 1919, Harry LeFrak started erecting row houses in Brooklyn and eventually constructed entire blocks of homes in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area.
The LeFrak family has Jewish roots, with the surname "LeFrak" believed to derive from the Yiddish word "lefrak", meaning "to break" or "to fracture".
