Business & Money • Real Estate

Larry Silverstein

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Larry Silverstein is an American real estate investor and developer, founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties. He is best known for leasing the World Trade Center shortly before the September 11 attacks and leading the major redevelopment of the site in Lower Manhattan.

Early life and education

Larry Silverstein was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 30, 1931. He studied at New York University before entering the real estate business with his father.

Silverstein Properties

Silverstein co-founded Silverstein Properties, a New York City-based real estate development, investment, and management firm. After splitting with business partner Bernard Mendik in 1977, he acquired major office buildings in Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

World Trade Center involvement

Silverstein's firm held the lease on the World Trade Center complex before the September 11, 2001 attacks. He played a central role in the subsequent rebuilding of the site, including the new One World Trade Center complex.

Later life and public roles

Silverstein has remained active in real estate into advanced age and has held governance roles connected to New York University and the broader New York real estate community. He released a memoir in 2024 titled *The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild the World Trade Center*.

Key facts

Larry Silverstein was born in Brooklyn and became involved in real estate with his father.
He co-founded Silverstein Properties and later split from partner Bernard Mendik in 1977.
His firm held the World Trade Center lease before the September 11, 2001 attacks.
He led the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site after the attacks.
Silverstein published a memoir in 2024 about the rebuilding effort.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Larry Silverstein?

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

When was Larry Silverstein born?

He was born on May 30, 1931.

What is Silverstein Properties?

Silverstein Properties is Larry Silverstein’s real estate development, investment, and management company based in New York City.

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*.

References

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