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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Real Estate

Larry Silverstein

Larry Silverstein is an American real estate investor and developer, and the founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Larry Silverstein is an American real estate investor and developer, best known as the founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties and for his central role in redeveloping the World Trade Center site after the September 11 attacks.

What it is

Larry Silverstein (born May 30, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York) is the founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties, a New York-based real estate development, investment, and management firm. He entered the business with his father, co-founded the company, and later split from partner Bernard Mendik in 1977. Silverstein Properties has owned, developed, and managed millions of square feet of commercial and residential property, primarily in Manhattan.

Why it matters

Silverstein’s firm secured the lease on the World Trade Center complex shortly before the September 11, 2001 attacks. He became a leading figure in the long, complex rebuilding of the site, including the new One World Trade Center. His role in one of the most significant real estate and urban redevelopment projects in modern American history makes him a notable figure in property and public life.

Key details

Silverstein studied at New York University and has held governance roles there. His net worth was estimated at US$1 billion as of December 2024. In 2024, he published a memoir, *The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild the World Trade Center*, detailing his involvement in the site’s redevelopment.

In short

  • Founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties, a major New York real estate firm.
  • Held the World Trade Center lease before 9/11 and led its redevelopment.
  • Net worth estimated at US$1 billion (December 2024).
  • Published a 2024 memoir on rebuilding the World Trade Center.

Quick questions

Who is Larry Silverstein?
Larry Silverstein is an American real estate investor and developer, founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties, known for redeveloping the World Trade Center site.
Why is Larry Silverstein associated with 9/11?
His company held the World Trade Center lease shortly before the September 11, 2001 attacks, and he later became a major figure in rebuilding the site.
Did Larry Silverstein write a book?
Yes. In 2024, he released a memoir titled *The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild the World Trade Center*.

Sources

  1. Silverstein Properties — https://www.silversteinproperties.com/larry-silverstein
    Supports: Founder and chairman role; company description; World Trade Center rebuilding; company scale
  2. Crain's New York Business — https://www.crainsnewyork.com/awards/larry-silverstein
    Supports: Career timeline; partnership split; role in World Trade Center redevelopment
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Silverstein
    Supports: Birthplace; real estate career; memoir publication; broad biographical overview
  4. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/silverstein-larry
    Supports: Born in New York; NYU graduation
  5. Wikiwand — https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Larry_Silverstein
    Supports: Birth date; nationality; net worth estimate; World Trade Center redevelopment role
  6. Jewish Home — https://www.jewishhome.org/honorees/larry-silverstein/
    Supports: Leadership roles at Silverstein Properties; NYU governance and real estate institute affiliations