THE DURST ORGANIZATION CELEBRATING 100 YEARS 1915 –2015 2015 1915 1915 1990’S 2000’S 1905 - 1915 1940’S - 1950’S 1950’S - 1990’S CELEBRATING 100 YEARS DURST HISTORY 3 This book commemorates the 100-year history of The Durst Organization, a family real estate TO BUILD IN NYC REQUIRES “AN ARCHITECT, AN ENGINEER company that for four generations has built, AND 2 PSYCHIATRISTS.” owned and operated some of the world’s most SEYMOUR B. DURST innovative and efficient buildings. Since 1915, New York Times Bottom Line when Joseph Durst acquired his first piece of real estate in the emerging garment district, the company has advanced New York City’s evolution with its forward-looking mission to JOSEPH AND THE develop sustainable residential and commercial DURST BROTHERS (From left): Roy, Joseph, Seymour, properties in which people live, work, and thrive. and David Durst. ca. 1958. BEGINNINGS PUTTING DOWN ROOTS Joseph Durst’s immigration story MY FATHER CAME FROM POLAND . HE DID NOT KNOW Joseph met Rose at her father’s Brooklyn parallels the experience of many “ general store. They would soon marry and THE LANGUAGE, HE DID NOT KNOW ANYONE HERE. WEDDING DAY seeking new opportunities in America ” Joseph and Rose on their wedding day. begin raising their family of five children. Joseph was 25 and Rose was 19 years old. in the early 20th Century. DAVID DURST 4 JOSEPH, ROSE AND THE 5 SECOND GENERATION Durst family portrait with (from left) Royal (Roy), Seymour, Edwin, Rose, Alma, David, and Joseph Durst at their Mount Vernon home. LANDING AT ELLIS ISLAND INSPECTION AT ELLIS ISLAND From 1892 to 1924, over 12 million people passed through Ellis Island. The immigration process involved an examination. Here, a man is detained, suspected of “defective eyesight.” Library of Congress Library of Congress DECLARATION OF INTENT In this document, Joseph declares his allegiance to the United States on his path to citizenship. A HOME AT THATCHCOTE The Dursts moved to Yonkers in 1919 to accommodate a growing family. PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION Following immigration, Joseph began applying to become a U.S. citizen. “LIST OR MANIFEST OF ALIEN IMMIGRANTS…” At 19 years old, Joseph Durst set sail from Antwerp bound for Ellis Island. Hebrew Free Loan Society. Above: DURST FAMILY AT HOME Left to right: Rose Durst with her children “Ellis Island. New York City”, (from left) Edwin, Seymour, “Aliens Entering Building For Examination”, Alma, and Royal Durst. “At The Gateway To America” Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Collection, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University From Left: FAMILY LIFE Durst family with (from left) Alma, Joseph, Edwin, and Rose enjoying the outdoors. DURST’S FOUNDERS With a marriage spanning more than 60 years, Joseph 1902 1907 1912 and Rose instilled the foundational values in the Joseph Durst, a tailor from Gorlice, Joseph Durst marries Rose Friedwald. Joseph Durst becomes a naturalized family and the company. Austria (present-day Poland), arrives citizen of the United States. in the United States with three dollars to his name. EARLY PROFESSIONAL LIFE JOSEPH DURST, INC. BEGINS The expansion of his garment business, along with the City’s population, propelled Joseph Durst to invest in real estate. DURST’S FIRST JOSEPH DURST Joseph Durst acquired ca. 1925. the twelve-story 1 West “NAPOLEON HAD ONE AMBITION” 34th Street in 1915, Durst & Rubin’s business model marking his first foray into 6 included eliminating overhead commercial real estate. 7 costs to offer maximum value. NYC Municipal Archives Science, Industry & Business Library, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations “CONTRACT-PARTNERSHIP” Contract between Joseph Durst and Hyman Rubin, establishing Durst & Rubin, Inc. DURST & RUBIN CHECKS Checks from Durst & Rubin to “A NEW SPOT IN THE SUN” manufacturing suppliers indicate the increase in orders as showrooms were Following the dissolution of Durst & Rubin, Joseph opened in Chicago and San Francisco. formed his new organization, which was the predecessor to The Durst Organization. Fashion Institute of Technology | SUNY, FIT Library Special Collections and FIT Archives, New York STAMP EMBOSSER 1905 1915 Joseph Durst’s stamp DECEMBER 13, 1926 JULY 27, 1936 embosser. Joseph Durst becomes a partner in the Durst & Rubin dissolves, and Joseph Durst acquires Temple Emanu-El, Joseph Durst acquires the Durst & Rubin manufacturing business, Joseph Durst incorporates under his then located at Fifth Avenue and Park Hill Theatre building producing children’s clothing, cloaks own name. He eventually expands the 43rd Street. in Yonkers, NY. and suits. business to real estate. A VISIONARY FAMILY GENERATIONS OF BUILDERS Joseph and Rose Durst instilled the values of innovation, integrity, community, and sustainability in their children. As the company THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GENERATIONS HAVE GUIDED flourished, Joseph and his children foresaw changes in future land use. “THE DURST ORGANIZATION AND FORMED A POWERFUL WEB THAT SUPPORTS AND NURTURES US IN A COMPETITIVE AND CHALLENGING BUSINESS. 8 ” 9 JODY DURST Left: JOSEPH AND THE DURST BROTHERS (From left): Roy, Joseph, Seymour, and David Durst. ca. 1958. Right: AT THE OFFICE Joseph with EDWIN DURST ALMA (DURST) ASKIN SEYMOUR DURST ROYAL (“ROY”) DURST DAVID DURST his sons David, Edwin was the eldest of the An enthusiast of the arts, Alma Following his studies in accounting, Roy studied banking, business, and David focused on construction and Seymour, and five children. composed songs and poems. Seymour joined the family business finance, and joined the company with design. He is also an avid artist and Roy at The Durst focusing on property acquisition and a focus on building management and philanthropist. Organization main assemblages. operations. offices at 205 East 42nd Street. ca. 1958. Left: LEASE SIGNING Representatives from Irving Trust sign a lease with the Dursts, giving Irving Trust four floors at 201 East 42nd Street. ca. 1964. Right: BUILDING FOR GENERATIONS (From left) David, Roy, Seymour, and Douglas Durst atop the roof of 1133 Avenue of the Americas. ©Maggie Hopp, 1982 Left: CONTINUOUS LEADERSHIP (From left) Alexander, Jody, Helena, Douglas, and Kristoffer Durst represent the third and fourth generations of leadership. Gary Spector Right: BUILDING TODAY FOR TOMORROW Alexander Durst, David Neil, Helena Durst and Kristoffer Durst stand before the future site of The Durst Organization’s first development outside of Manhattan - Halletts Point, Queens. Michael Appleton/The New York Times/Redux DURST FAMILY PORTRAIT Back row, from left: David, Roy, Joseph, Edwin, and Seymour; Alma and Rose seated in front. 1945 JULY 1966 1973 SEPTEMBER 1984 NOVEMBER 1995 JULY 2001 JANUARY 2006 FEBRUARY 2009 Roy Durst earns a Bronze Star medal Douglas Durst joins David and Alma publish Free As a Bird, Jody Durst joins Kristoffer (Kris) Durst joins Helena Durst joins Alexander Durst joins David Neil joins from the United States Army for his The Durst Organization. the first of several illustrated songbooks The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization. military service in World War II. for children of all ages. A CITY GROWS New York City serves as the gateway to opportunity for immigrants seeking religious and political NEW YORK BUILDING ZONE RESOLUTION freedom, and for businesses Detail map view shows designation for residential, seeking a worldwide presence. commercial, and manufacturing uses to manage the City’s surging growth. 10 Seymour B. Durst Old York 11 Library Collection, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University MAKING HEADLINES The Durst Organization’s pioneering contributions to Third Avenue’s development were the subject of a 1964 article. New York World-Telegram, December 23, 1964 42ND STREET (CA.1890) Two girls walk east on 42nd Street, passing by the present site of 4 Times Square. NYC Municipal Archives TIMES SQUARE CA. 1920’S These vibrant Times Square scenes illustrate the creative advertisements and bustling activity still familiar to visitors to the area today. Images from “Times Square: The Host To A Million A Day” Artkraft Strauss scrapbook. “MID-NEW YORK SKYLINE.” Postcard featuring “New York’s Tallest Skyscrapers” with Empire State Building claiming the top title in the 1930s. Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Collection, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University 1901 1904 1909 1916 1925 1931 1938–1939 1955 The New York State Tenement The first electric underground railway Queensborough Bridge opens, linking The City of New York passes the New York becomes the most populous The George Washington Bridge opens; Demolition of the Sixth Avenue Demolition begins on the House Act is passed, mandating (subway) opens in New York, running the boroughs of Queens and Manhattan. Zoning Resolution, the nation’s first city in the world. with the main span of 3,500 feet — elevated train (the “El”). Third Avenue elevated train. standards for lighting, ventilation, from City Hall through Times Square comprehensive zoning ordinance. the longest in the world at that time. and fire safety. to 145th Street. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY SUSTAINABILITY Through the generations, the Dursts have HENRY MILLER’S THEATRE LEAVE THIS PLACE BETTER actively participated in the life of the City, HEBREW FREE LOAN SOCIETY PAINTING Painting by Hedy Pagremanski features members “ of the Hebrew Free Loan Society’s board, including RESTORATION THAN YOU FOUND IT. supporting the arts and non-profit organizations. members of the Durst family. The historic façade of the 43rd Street theatre (known today as the ” Stephen Sondheim Theatre) is preserved and protected during the theater’s restoration in 2005. JOSEPH AND ROSE DURST 12 & SUSTAINABILITY 13 RESPONSIBILITY CORPORATE HENRY MILLER’S THEATRE, CA. 1919 Photograph by the Wurts Brothers, Museum of the City of New York GREEN ROOFS INITIATIVE The Durst Organization maintains an acre of green roofs across its Midtown Manhattan portfolio, capturing stormwater, providing wildlife habitat and biophilic views, and alleviating the heat island effect.