Joseph Durst

Joseph Durst (January 15, 1882 – December 31, 1973) was an American real estate developer, founder of the Durst Organization, and patriarch of the Durst family.

Early life Born to a Jewish family, Durst immigrated to the US from Gorlice, Galicia, Austria-Hungary in 1902 with three dollars to his name. He worked as a tailor in New York City and in 1912, he became a full partner in the dress manufacturer, Durst & Rubin. Using the profits from his business, he invested in real estate, purchasing his first building in 1915, the Century Building (at 1 West 34th Street). In 1926, he acquired the original Temple Emanu-El (at 5th Avenue and 43rd Street) demolishing it in 1927 to build a commercial building. In 1927, he formed the Durst Organization.

Acquisitions and development Thereafter, the Durst Organization continued to make selective acquisitions including: In 1929, his first residential building (a 15-story building at Fifth Avenue and 85th Street); The Durst family became one of the most established and prominent real estate families in New York City in the 20th century (along with the Roses, the Lefraks, the Rudins, and the Tisch family). , the Durst Organization continues to be owned and operated by the third generation of the Durst family owning and managing more than 8.5 million square feet of Class A office space in Midtown Manhattan and over 1 million square feet of luxury residential rentals.

Personal life Durst was married to Rose Friedwald; they had five children: Seymour, Roy, Alma, Edwin and David.