Jack Benaroya
Jack A. Benaroya | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | May 11, 2012 | (aged 90)
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Founder of the Benaroya Company |
Spouse | Rebecca Benaroya |
Children | Donna Benaroya Alan Benaroya Larry Benaroya |
Jack A. Benaroya (July 11, 1921 – May 11, 2012) was a pioneering real estate developer who built what became the Northwest’s largest privately-held commercial real-estate empire which he sold in 1984 for $315 million.
After selling his company, he became a venture capitalist and was an early investor in
Biography
Benaroya was born to
Upon his return, he became involved in real estate by building post offices in the region which was experiencing a post-war boom; however, his fortune was earned by building
In 1956, Benaroya established the Benaroya Company which would become the largest commercial real estate developer in the state of Washington.[3] In 1984, he sold his real estate portfolio for $315 million shifting the focus of the company to venture capital.[3]
Benaroya was an early investor in Starbucks.[3]
Philanthropy
Benaroya was a former director of the Seattle
He funded the Benaroya Hall, facility for the Seattle Symphony which opened in 1998; and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle which opened in 1999.[3]
An endowned chair in Israel Studies had been created in his and his wife’s name at the University of Washington, Seattle. In February 2022, it was reported that the endownment was pulled back after the holder of the endowned chair, Prof. Liora Halperin made statements that the Benaroya family disagreed with. UW returning the donation was widely criticized as a dangerous precedent for donor intervention in academia. https://mesana.org/advocacy/committee-on-academic-freedom/2022/02/28/letter-to-the-president-of-the-university-of-washington
Personal life and death
Benaroya was married to his wife Rebecca for over seventy years. They had three children: Donna Benaroya, Alan Benaroya, and Larry Benaroya.[3] In the years before his death, Benaroya was slowed by Parkinson's disease.[6] He died on May 11, 2012.[3][7]
See also
References
- ^ Kugiya, Hugo. "Seattle's Coffee King -- In The Beginning Was A Quaint Little Roasting Company. Then Came Howard Schultz". Seattletimes.
- ^ "Obituary: Jack Benaroya, 90, was a prolific developer and quiet philanthropist". Seattletimes.com. 11 May 2012. Benaroya became better-known for his philanthropic activities
- ^ Seattle Times
- ^ Beit Hatfutsot: The Museum Of The Jewish People. "The Jewish Community of Seattle".
- ^ Seattle Times: "School spotlight: Garfield High School" By Marc Matsui May 27, 2003
- ^ Chesley, Frank (May 11, 2012). "Benaroya, Jack Albert (1921-2012)". Essay 7419. HistoryLink.
- ^ JT News: "Jack Benaroya, 1921-2012: A leader who built a community" by Joel Magalnick May 23, 2012
Notes
- Forbes, 27 October 1986.
- Seattle KingCounty Realtors: 1st Citizen Award Recipients
- Seattle Times Article, May 11, 2012: Philanthropist and developer Jack Benaroya has died
External links
- Benaroya Research Institute Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- The Benaroya Companies. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "MetropoLIST 150:People Who Shaped Seattle". Seattle Times. October 14, 2001. Retrieved 2005-11-12.