Douglas Jemal

Douglas Jemal (born November 30, 1942) is an American real estate developer, landlord, and the founder of Douglas Development.

Jemal first worked in electronics retailing, like his father. However, in 1993, he sold his interests in retail and began investing in real estate in the Washington metropolitan area. In 2016, he began focusing on real estate investments in Buffalo, New York.

Biography Jemal was born to a Syrian Jewish family in south Brooklyn, one of four sons and two daughters of Norman Jemal and Sally Chira, a discount retailer in lower Manhattan. He attended David Boody Jr. High School but dropped out at age 15, during the 9th grade. He then worked odd jobs such as auction house runner, a delivery driver, and sold items on 14th Street during the Christmas shopping season. Douglas sold his shares in the Wiz back to the family in 1993. These included 15 buildings on 7th Street between E and I Streets NW in Chinatown.

By 2019, he owed 200 properties.

In December 2021, he sold two Marriott International hotels in Washington, D.C. to an investor group affiliated with the Marriott family for $152 million.

Buffalo real estate In 2016, Jemal purchased the vacant 38-story One Seneca Tower, the tallest building in Buffalo, for $12.6 million. He redeveloped it at a cost of $150 million and by 2021, it was 80% leased.

In 2021, Jemal acquired the former police headquarters building near Niagara Square, with plans for a $30 million redevelopment into apartments called "The Police Apartments."

In September 2021, Jemal announced plans to build a nine-story building at 61 Terrace Street.

In 2021, Jemal acquired the 64-acre Boulevard Mall with plans to redevelop the property. He also renovated the Hotel Henry on the Richardson Olmsted Complex, which was renamed The Richardson Hotel. in June 2025, Jemal announced that the Richardson Olmsted Campus would be operating the Richardson Hotel, as of July 1.

In September 2021, he acquired the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

In October 2021, he acquired the Mahoney State Office Building at public auction for $4.1 million. He listed it for sale in May 2025.

In December 2022, he acquired the HSBC Atrium from HSBC for $9 million.

In 2024, Jemal acquired One News Plaza (rented to The Buffalo News), an adjacent production facility, and the parking lot across Scott Street.

Personal life Jemal's sons Norman Jemal and Matthew Jemal are active in the real estate business. His daughter, Kim Jemal Cayre, is married to the nephew of Joseph Cayre, a New York real estate developer and record producer.

Politics and pardon Jemal has contributed to politicians of both major U.S. political parties but he has given more to Republicans. In 2016, he contributed $32,000 to the Republican National Committee and in 2020, he contributed $100,000 to the RNC. He contributed $2,700 to the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign. He is also friends with real estate developer Charles Kushner, whose son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump.

On January 20, 2021, Jemal received a pardon for his 2008 wire fraud conviction from President Donald Trump.

In December 2021, a denial of a liquor license for an associate of Jemal was reversed after it was noted that he contributed over $53,000 to the campaign of Governor of New York Kathy Hochul.

Awards and recognition In August 2014, Jemal received the Lifetime Achievement award from the District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

In December 2019, Jemal was inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame.

Criticism and legal issues Jamal has been criticized for often paying his contractors late to fund more real estate purchases.