Louis Lurie Explained

Louis R. Lurie
Birth Date:September 6, 1888
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois
Death Date:September 7, 1972 (age 84)
Nationality:American
Occupation:Real estate developer
Children:Bob Lurie
Spouse:Babette Greenbaum

Louis R. Lurie (September 6, 1888 – September 7, 1972) was an American real estate developer and financial backer of Broadway shows.

Biography

Lurie was born to a Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois.[1] [2]

Career

His parents were divorced and he worked at an early age to help support his family. At the age of 14, he opened his own printing business. He moved to Seattle and then in 1914, to San Francisco and used the proceeds from his printing operations to purchase and later develop real estate.[3] In 1915, he built the first movie house in San Francisco. He went on to build over 300 buildings in San Francisco and owned the Geary Theatre and the Curran Theatre. In 1962, he bought the Mark Hopkins Hotel for $14 million.

His Hale Bros. and J. C. Penney Co. real estate deals were noteworthy.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Broadway

He was a financial backer of many Broadway shows including South Pacific, Teahouse of the August Moon, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Personal life

In 1918, he married Babette Greenbaum; they had one son, Bob Lurie. His wife died in 1956.

His charitable activities were channeled through the Lurie Foundation.

Notes and References

  1. News: Louis Lurie, 84, Dies on Coast; Realty Man and Theater Angel . The New York Times. September 8, 1972 .
  2. Book: The American Jewish Chronicle, Volume 5. Alpha Omega Publishing Company. 1918.
  3. Web site: Louis Lurie papers, 1913-1979. . Online Archive of California.
  4. News: REAL ESTATE: San Francisco's Lurie . 3 January 2023 . . 4 October 1943.
  5. Web site: DRAFT - Historical Context Statement Mid-Market . sanfranciscohistory.com . 3 January 2023.
  6. Web site: Central SoMa . sfplanning.org.
  7. Web site: San Francisco . Market Street Development Project 196373 . archive.org . 1976 . San Francisco Public Library.
  8. Web site: San Francisco . Market Street Development Project 196873 . archive.org . 1976 . San Francisco Public Library.