Brown University Alumnus Elie Hirschfeld Donates $1 Million

NEW YORK, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elie Hirschfeld, president of Hirschfeld Properties, a leading New York Real Estate Development Firm, announced today that he will donate an additional $125,000 to Brown University, making his total gift to his Alma Mater $1 million. A 1971 graduate of Brown University with Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude honors in Math & Economics, Hirschfeld is a Trustee Emeritus of the University. At Brown, Elie was elected President of his Class in his senior year. He served as President of Brown Hillel in his sophomore year. After graduating, Elie was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Brown in 1992 and served as a Trustee until 2001."Supporting Brown since I graduated is an honor. The university instilled important values and is a wonderful institution that I am blessed and proud to support," said Elie Hirschfeld. Elie's donations have made a substantial impact at Brown. Elie established and funded the Elie Hirschfeld Presidential Fellowship in Comparative Studies. This Presidential Fellowship has brought to Brown distinguished Professors from other institutions such as Harvard University to teach about the interrelationship of religion and other fields.

Elie received additional Brown Honors, including: the Young Leadership Award in 1986, the Alumni Service Award in 1989 and the distinguished Nan Tracy Award for service in 2008.

For more information please visit www.HirschfeldNYC.com or www.hirschfeldfoundations.com

About Elie Hirschfeld President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Mr. Hirschfeld's projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court. Mr. Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Contact: Ronn Torossian (212) 999-5585

Source: Elie Hirschfeld / Related Links - http://www.HirschfeldNYC.com

Elie Hirschfeld’s marathon ways

Elie Hirschfeld is nothing like his late dad Abe Hirschfeld, the publicity-loving real-estate man who once long ago controlled this newspaper for a few days between his hapless campaigns for public office. Elie, 60, started jogging 27 years ago. He completed 10 marathons and 75 triathlons. Last February, he was the oldest competitor in Israel’s Israman Ironman Distance Triathlon. And this weekend, he’ll run, bike and swim in the Eiffel Tower Triathlon in Paris. We’re exhausted just thinking about it.

Elie Hirschfeld Makes Charitable Gifts to Support Roosevelt Hospital's Emergency Department

NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- A new commitment of $50,000 from Elie Hirschfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hirschfeld Properties and a Trustee of Continuum Health Partners, will help further underwrite Roosevelt Hospital's Emergency Department (ED) Expansion and Redesign Project.\r\nHis gifts to the initiative, to date, total over $150,000. "As a member of the real estate community, I am well aware of the booming development in the neighborhood surrounding Roosevelt Hospital," Elie Hirschfeld said in announcing his latest gift. "It was easy to see that the Emergency Department would need to expand to keep pace with the rising demand associated with the growth in the surrounding neighborhoods."His first gift of $100,000 named the Ambulatory Triage Unit in the Roosevelt ED - a fitting recognition for his critically important initial commitment that launched the fundraising program for the entire ED project in 2004. "Early support from the Board of Trustees was key to the success of our effort and we are so grateful for Elie Hirschfeld's leadership and generosity," said Frank J. Cracolici, President of St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals.

This major expansion and renovation is timely due to the significant residential development in the neighborhood surrounding the hospital, particularly west of 11th Avenue. Elie Hirschfeld recently made a second commitment of $50,000 to the project because, as he explained, "Manhattan's West Side is experiencing a lot of change that warrants this important project to expand emergent care services at Roosevelt Hospital. I am pleased to play a role in making a significant and lasting impact on the health and well-being of my fellow residents."

For additional information regarding the philanthropic endeavors of Elie Hirschfeld, visit http://hirschfeldfoundations.com. About Elie Hirschfeld President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, Elie Hirschfeld has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Elie Hirschfeld's projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court. Elie Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Additionally, Elie Hirschfeld is an avid sportsman, having completed the New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon several times, and the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon for the last twenty consecutive years.

Manhattan Mogul Elie Hirschfeld Acquires Important Painting by Francoise Gilot

NEW YORK, NY (PRNEWSWIRE.COM.- Manhattan real estate tycoon and President of Hirschfeld Properties, LLC, Elie Hirschfeld publically announces the acquisition of "Gingko Trees in Central Park" (2002-2004, Oil on Canvas), an original painting by Francoise Gilot (born 1921). "'Gingko Trees in Central Park' holds great meaning to me because it depicts a special New York City scene and reminds me of the large ginkgo tree in the backyard of my parents' home," said Elie Hirschfeld. "I am honored to have purchased this painting and own a small part of such a great history. Ms. Gilot is an inspiration to all, both as an artist and as a person. Through this acquisition, it was a pleasure getting to know Ms. Gilot and I look forward to our ongoing friendship." In addition to her famous life associations and significant books highlighting her work, her paintings have graced the auction blocks of Sotheby's and the walls of renowned galleries around the world. Currently, her internationally recognized work is being shown in Tokyo.

Elie Hirschfeld is an avid art collector who began his collection with "The Artists Show in Washington Square Park" by Thomas Hart Benton. Since then, his collection has grown to hundreds of New York scenes. Some notable works include Andy Warhol's "Brooklyn Bridge," Frank Stella's "Squares" and Normal Rockwell's "Gramercy Park." His private collection is currently housed in his various Manhattan homes.

Elie Hirschfeld President and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties since 1997, Elie Hirschfeld has dedicated his professional life to real estate development planning and implementation. Since joining the company in 1976, Mr. Hirschfeld's projects have included the development of prominent New York City properties such as the Grand Sutton, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Park Avenue Court.

Elie Hirschfeld is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of development including new project analysis, lease marketing and negotiation, legal strategies, and architectural and construction management. Elie Hirschfeld directed Hirschfeld Properties, LLC into partnerships with other distinguished real estate development firms such as the Zeckendorf Organization, the Donald Trump Organization, The Silverstein Organization, Empire Realty Group, Belz Enterprises of Memphis and the shopping mall development group, The Mel Simon Organization.

Additionally, Hirschfeld is an avid sportsman, having completed the New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon several times, and the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon for the last twenty consecutive years.

Q & A with Hirschfeld Properties CEO Elie Hirschfeld

Elie Hirschfeld is the president and CEO of Hirschfeld Properties, where he worked with his late father, parking garage titan Abraham Hirschfeld, for more than 20 years. A triathlete and an avid theatergoer (he’s been a voter in the Tony Awards every year since 1996), Elie Hirschfeld and his company were behind such projects as New York’s first open-air garage, the Hotel Pennsylvania and the Manhattan Mall. This week, The Real Deal talked to the developer, who is reportedly worth more than half a billion dollars (he wouldn’t comment on his wealth), about his portfolio, the Hamptons home he’s selling, the shocking scandal that rocked his family, and the Hirschfeld legacy. What’s your birth date?

Christmas, 1949. It’s the best. I feel like the whole world is celebrating with me.

Where do you live?

I have a home in Kings Point, on Long Island. I just did a significant renovation, now complete, of an old Tudor-style home on an acre and a half. It was about a three-year effort. It’s nine bedrooms, and regrettably, 11 bathrooms and an outdoor shower. I know — it’s too many [bathrooms].

Do you personally own other properties in the city?

I had a home in Manhattan at 1067 Fifth Avenue — I still own that home. It’s a co-op. I’m separated from my wife, [Susan Hirschfeld], and she still lives there.

How many children do you have?

I have five: Daniella is 29 and lives in Boston; David is 26 and lives in Las Vegas; Benjamin is 12; Jonathan is 11 and Matthew is 10.

Do you have a comment on the ongoing lawsuit with your wife over child support?

No.

How has your East Hampton home on Lily Pond Lane been doing on the market since it came online in November?

I’m halfhearted about the sale. I love the home. Sometimes I am hoping it reaches my price and sometimes I hope it doesn’t. It’s still listed for $25 million. I’ve received offers close, but not close enough.

Has you business strategy changed since the downturn?

We’re looking at assets in the [New York City] metro area and at various locations in the city. There’s nothing to announce, exactly, right now, but we are seeking to make acquisitions… and we’ve made some purchases, in fact.

Are you working on any new projects right now?

I’m doing a small renovation of 218 East 79th Street. It’ll be a luxury rental in a two-family townhouse — one duplex, one triplex. We’re working with Linda Gottlieb at Prudential Douglas Elliman on pricing right now. We acquired it three years ago and had in mind to develop a high-rise there but we put that on hold. The market is difficult for that right now. I can preserve the property this way and hold it for a 10- to 12-year term. Maybe we’ll end up acquiring more property around it.

What do you think will happen with building prices this year?

My sense is that there’s a slow-but-steady, moderate improvement happening. I don’t know that [we’ve hit bottom] for sure. There could be some tendency to slip along the way.

Tiger Woods’ alleged fourth mistress, Jamie Jungers, checked out an apartment at your Zeckendorf Towers late last year. Did she end up signing a lease?

We typically don’t comment on tenant activities.

What do you think of Vornado Realty Trust’s plans to demolish the Hotel Pennsylvania, which you sold to the company in 2000, and build a new skyscraper on the site?

I have mixed emotions about that. The old hotel is a fantastically important landmark to New York City. It’s hard for us to appreciate today that it was once one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, but it was when it was built in 1919. It has a great deal of history. On the other hand, the new plan is also quite remarkable.

You’re quite the athlete. What’s your training schedule like?

In the winter, I bike indoors or swim. Running — I just go out on the roads. Last month, I did an Ironman, which is a very long triathlon, in Israel, so I was training 15 to 20 hours a week. Now, I’m relaxing a bit, so I’m training, let’s say, half. But I’ll build up soon because I’m going to be doing a half-Ironman in June with my daughter [Daniella], and I signed up to do the Paris Triathlon in July. I’ve done 75-plus triathlons in my lifetime, and of course many marathons.

Have you ever won?

On June 10, 2006 at the Montauk Triathlon, I came in first in my age group — over 55.

How did you get to be a Tony Awards voter?

You can get nominated from a certain amount of involvement with the theater community. I’ve made some investments in the theater. I probably see 25 shows a year.

Any recommendations?

“A View from the Bridge” was excellent. “Memphis” — I thought it was just wonderful.

What did you learn about the real estate business from your father, Abe Hirschfeld?

I think a made a very smart decision in my life to find a very smart partner. Dad worked on sort of, all-instinct. He couldn’t sometimes even explain why he made decisions to me, he just made them. I value that sense of instinctively knowing what to do, but I’m different. I take more time, which is not always better at all. I work sometimes at being more instinctive in my decision-making. And then I try to overcome some of the weaknesses. Sometimes he might’ve been brusque with people.

In 2000, your father was sent to prison for 22 months for plotting to kill his business partner, Stanley Stahl. What was that episode like for you?

It was a very hard period for me. I suffered while I saw him suffering. I felt very hurt, embarrassed, lonely through that period. I wasn’t investigated but I feared that I might be. I’ve struggled to try to rebuild relationships with people who didn’t know whether I misbehaved, and fortunately, I’ve been found not to have misbehaved in any respect.