Friends of Kalikow

For 100 years, generations of the Kalikow family have carried on [a] proud legacy during some of the most extraordinary moments in our Nation’s history. Under your leadership, the Kalikow Company expanded on its successes when it entered Manhattan in the 1970s and built thousands of apartment units in the borough. Then, in a pivotal move to commercial real estate, the Kalikow Company constructed the iconic 101 Park Avenue. This development, together with my company’s successful construction of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, began a renaissance in the Grand Central district. One hundred years is a fantastic accomplishment that few companies have achieved, and at the heart of your family ‘s success is philanthropy and public service. Your personal commitment to the New York Presbyterian Hospital board, your longtime leadership as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and your dedication to the Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy, and International Affairs at Hofstra University are a testament to your generosity and steadfast dedication to educating our Nation’s future leaders.

It is such a great honor to be one of the few non-family members to participate in this Kalikow centennial celebratory book. But the fact is I have been part of the Kalikow extended family for many years. For a good part of its 100 years in business, I’ve been there to watch, support and encourage the incredible Kalikow family in its business, civic, and philanthropic efforts.

It‘s rare for any business to survive, no less thrive, for a century. It’s equally rare for a strong friendship to encompass most of that time. Peter and I have been close and loyal friends for almost 65 years. From a young age, we sat together at family dinners where our real estate education began. Peter and I learned from the masters, his dad, Harold, and mine, Bert.

Later on, we pursued our formal education at Hofstra University. They were wonderful and exciting times, formative years where I saw a young, ambitious man, my friend Peter, readying himself to take the reins of his family real estate dynasty. Hofstra is something we share and cherish up to this very day with our mutual philanthropy. Countless students have benefited from the Kalikow School of Government, and the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, as well as other important Kalikow-sponsored academic programs.

After a short stint in the music business, Peter joined Harold in the family real estate company. The transition in leadership between Harold and Peter was seamless and mutually supportive. Harold encouraged Peter’s vision to expand the real estate enterprise in both scope and geography. Peter’s vision to enter the Manhattan commercial office market became a resounding and successful reality with the crown jewel of the Kalikow portfolio—101 Park Avenue. Combined with many premier apartment buildings and a downtown hotel, HJ Kalikow became one of the most respected real estate companies in the city, and Peter was thrust into real estate and civic leadership. The Kalikow company and Peter earned countless honors and accolades.

Today, at its milestone 100-year anniversary, Kalikow is poised to turn over the company’s leadership to the next generation—with Kathryn at the helm and Nicholas as a key and trusted advisor. We all look forward to what the next 100 years bring.

Benjamin Franklin once said, 'If you want something done, give it to a busy person.'

Well, that is precisely what I did in 2001 when I asked my good friend Peter Kalikow to assume the role of chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Now, I knew Peter was busy, running an extraordinarily successful real estate empire, serving on a number of other boards, and devoting himself to the philanthropies he cherishes so much. But I also knew his intellect, political acumen, and leadership ability were what I needed at the MTA. It was a critical time, and this was no easy assignment, given the fact that the MTA touches millions of people each and every day.

That reliance on Peter proved invaluable on September 11, 2001. On that awful day, among other disasters, New York City service was shut down on several subway lines, with one major station being left completely in shambles. Bringing the city back from that disaster required a great team and a strong leader, and Peter came through leading us to new levels of service and reliability. I relied on Peter to help bring our city and state back in the aftermath of that tragic day. I knew Peter would do a great job, and a great job is exactly what he did.

As governor, I knew I could always rely on Peter’s advice and judgment in a wide range of areas. Most importantly, I knew he would always provide that advice in a thoughtful, direct, but always respectful manner. In his private business life, Peter was the king of the castle, and his directives were followed without question. But Peter was unique. A titan of industry, he was still able to work with all types of people, build consensus, and achieve results. This was particularly important in a governmental environment, where civil servants can quickly thwart the will of the elected representative.

Peter is indeed one of New York’s treasures. His accomplishments in his private real estate, public service, and philanthropic lives are extraordinary. His many residential and office buildings in New York are among the finest testaments to architectural excellence. The establishment of the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government at Hofstra will help generations of students understand the fundamental principles underlying our democracy.

More importantly, Peter became my friend. Once out of office, Peter was there to assist me in my private sector career. I truly value his friendship and wish him and his entire company another 100 years of achievement and success.

They say, 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' Well, no one exemplifies this adage more than my friend Peter Kalikow. In 1998, after 18 years in the United States Senate, I lost my re-election bid. For all those years and years prior, Peter was always there for me and was instrumental in my elections. After I lost, people I thought were my friends disappeared, and I was in pretty bad shape, both emotionally and financially. Peter stepped up big time, and any success I achieved since then was in great part due to him. Peter set me up in a new business, gave me space in his beautiful building at 101 Park Avenue, became a client, and helped line up clients. He gave me the inspiration and support to go forward to achieve whatever success I have. While remarkable, it doesn’t surprise me at all that the Kalikow organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Peter is an extraordinary businessman who helped shape the skyline of Manhattan with these award-winning residential and commercial buildings. However, his impact on the city goes far beyond his real estate successes. Peter has devoted a good part of his life to public service, a public service that has immeasurably improved the lives of countless people. His philanthropy is extraordinary, whether it be his devotion to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Temple Emanu-El, or his alma mater, Hofstra University. Peter is indeed a friend, and his leadership of HJ Kalikow & Co. has been masterful. The Italians have a toast, 'Cent'Anni,' which means '100 Years.' Well, on the occasion of the Kalikow organization’s 100th anniversary, I simply say, 'Cent’Anni.'

I’ve worked for the Kalikow Organization for almost half the company’s fast approaching centennial. Peter is an extraordinary businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist who, along with his dedicated and loyal team, has built an incredible real estate empire.

There is a good reason why the people working at Kalikow make this their careers for a lifetime. Peter Kalikow promotes an environment that fosters and expects excellence and rewards his employees with great benefits and opportunities for growth. There is no better place to work and no better boss.

After nearly a decade of working on various Kalikow projects, first, at 101 Park Avenue, I started my own architectural firm. In developing my practice, I often sought out advice from Peter Kalikow to guide me as I navigated through New York’s real estate world. Throughout the years, he has been more than supportive and has always offered me sound, timely, and wise business advice. In our discussions, both general and specific to projects, he focuses directly on the important issues and opens possible solutions to find the right course of action, often with humor and always with generosity. He is a most valued client, mentor and friend.

I first started working for Peter in 1979 as part of the development team that was tasked with building 101 Park Avenue. I was no more than a junior architect. My first interaction with him was a chance early morning encounter on the Park Avenue sidewalk opposite the 101 Park job site before our offices were open for the day. We were both a little startled. I was surprised he recognized me. We made small talk about the project as it was just starting to come out of the ground as a massive concrete structure. I recall that he said something to me like, "I think we are going to be alright" Indeed. The words were prophetic. Over the years, we schemed projects for office buildings together, apartment buildings, a hotel, and other residential work. We can even include the occasional sketch of a car or yacht as needed. Throughout all this time, it has been my great privilege to help him with this journey. I applaud his efforts and would like to offer my congratulations to him on his career and achievements.

My experience working with Peter has been an honor and an incredibly rewarding journey. Peter has been a great mentor and friend, and I have been incredibly fortunate to be able to work alongside such an innovative and dedicated leader.

To say it’s a privilege is an understatement. I knew Peter was special in the interview, but I hit the jackpot for life! Working with him puts a smile on my face every single day, several times a day. It’s rare to know someone who you can always trust and count on during the good times and the bad times. You wouldn’t think you could get that in a boss, but I did. That is the reason why I’ve been working with and for him for almost 40 years.

I am thrilled that the Kalikow history, the chronicle of a leading New York real estate family, has finally been published. Peter Kalikow, the modern family leader, is an avid and knowledgeable history buff, and I am sure he is deeply pleased to read the finished product. Peter and I have known each other for almost 60 years, during which I represented him professionally and became his friend. Peter is the most loyal person I know and is honest and honorable. His accomplishments as a developer, builder, landlord, publisher, and innovator, coupled with his public and charitable endeavors are preeminent. Peter is a family man; he and Mary have two wonderful kids. I am proud to call Peter my friend. Readers of this story will see how it expresses the power and beauty of family loyalty.

I have been associated with both Peter and Harold Kalikow since I was a young associate at a New York law firm. During that period of time, I was fortunate enough to experience a wonderful professional and personal relationship with them both. Together, they developed one of the premier office buildings in New York City in addition to countless other highly successful projects throughout the New York metropolitan area. More importantly, a true friendship developed with Peter and, before his passing, with Harold. They both were and are warm, loyal, and caring human beings, and, at the same time, extraordinary business men. I have been privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with and know them both.

Peter and I were born 12 days apart, and since our moms were friends at that time, I can say with total certainty that I’ve known Peter my whole life. Through the years, our friendship has been a testament to loyalty, resilience, and the bond of many shared memories from our childhood to the present. Pete, I'm proud to know you, and I admire and respect you for all that you've done and the way you've lived your life. You've always been an inspiration to me.

With love…. your pal…. Mike.

I have known Peter and his late father, Harold, for more than 60 years. They are a great example of multi-generational enterprise. They have successfully developed thousands of quality residential apartments in New York, as well as an iconic office tower. Peter is a civic and philanthropic leader in our community. They have made a great contribution to our city. The LeFrak Family congratulates them on their 100 years of success!