Resilience Amidst Crisis

Today, Peter Kalikow continues to manage HJ Kalikow and is preparing the company for the next generation of Kalikows. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the city shut down, many businesses struggled to survive. While offices closed and failed to return, HJ Kalikow was one of the few companies that managed not only to survive, but also to thrive as they brought in new business.

In June 2020, when the government lifted the mandated quarantine, HJ Kalikow and its tenants at 101 Park Avenue resumed work with diligent safety and health protocols in place. Since many tenants at 101 Park are large companies in finance and law, it was important that their office spaces were available for work. This also meant that HJ Kalikow had no trouble collecting rent, which allowed Peter Kalikow to keep the building running and all of his workers employed.

Most of the building’s tenants renewed their leases following the pandemic, with only a few leaving to downsize their office space and rent. The available office space generated immediate interest from businesses. Kalikow attributes the success of 101 Park to its central location near Grand Central Terminal and predicts it will remain strong for many years to come.

Looking Forward

During this time, Kathryn Kalikow, Peter’s daughter, joined the company, working closely with her father and HJ Kalikow executives in order to learn the ins and outs of the real estate industry. She is on course to take over as the next president of HJ Kalikow.

Kathryn Kalikow has a degree from the University of Vermont in art and history. She is an accomplished artist and has showcased her work in various art exhibits throughout New York City. As a child, Kathryn spent much of the time exercising her creative talents by drafting floor plans and making building models. Her fascination with designing and constructing buildings persists today.

Kathryn’s quick progress in the field has been highlighted by her deft work on the most recent 101 Park deal with Five Iron Golf.

After space became available on the third floor, HJ Kalikow made plans to turn half of the floor into an amenities center, a proposal that would appeal to the growing trend of boutique offices, and to use the other half as a traditional office space.

However, before moving forward with the plan, a broker for Five Iron Golf called, expressing particular interest in the space. After a tour and further discussions, the broker said Five Iron Golf wanted to take over the entire floor.

Peter Kalikow was initially hesitant about the proposition since it differed from the kind of business he was accustomed to negotiating with the building’s commercial tenants.

Kathryn Kalikow, however, saw the deal’s potential and pushed back, recognizing the advantages it would provide for both HJ Kalikow and its tenants.

After some convincing, Peter Kalikow let Kathryn fully take over negotiations. The first showing of the space was in March 2022, and by August 2022, the deal with Five Iron Golf was finalized. After months of renovations, the indoor golf experience officially opened its doors to the public in October 2023.

Kathryn had worked on a previous deal with her father in January 2022, resulting in Wendel North America signing a lease on the 46th floor of 101 Park Avenue.

Peter’s son, Nicholas Kalikow, is also involved in the family company as the vice chairman of strategic planning since 2005. While he continues to play an important role in assisting HJ Kalikow, his true passion lies in the film industry, where he has pursued his dreams, reminiscent of his father’s early days.

He graduated from Columbia University in 2002, with a degree in art history, criticism, and conservation. Shortly after, he got a role as the still photographer and executive producer for the short film A Funny Thing Happened at the Quick Mart (2004). The short was positively received by audiences and reinforced Nicholas Kalikow’s path into the film industry.

He continued to work on several films and television series as an executive producer including The Outdoorsmen: Blood, Sweat & Beers (2005), Yiddish Theater: A Love Story (2005), Sleepwalking Through the Mekong (2007), Explicit Ills (2008) and Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong (2008), before founding his film production company, Sacred Bull Media, in 2009. Like a young Peter Kalikow, Nicholas Kalikow took a leap of faith and followed his aspirations.

Through Sacred Bull Media, Nicholas Kalikow has successfully showcased his talents as a filmmaker. He has written and directed two notable films, Concrete Blondes (2013) and Carter & June (2017). Both films garnered attention from major entertainment networks following their respective releases and were acquired by Showtime Networks, Inc. for distribution.

In 2014, Sacred Bull Media released The Mirage, a documentary detailing Peter Kalikow’s car building journey back in the 1970s. Nicholas Kalikow served as the executive producer. The project was an opportunity to honor his father’s venture, while connecting over their shared appreciation of cars, a love that was passed down to Nicholas at a young age. The two continue to bond over their enthusiasm for collectible cars, particularly Ferraris, and frequently participate in auto shows together. Following in his father’s footsteps, Nicholas Kalikow has started an impressive car collection of his own.

After several successful ventures with Sacred Bull, Nicholas Kalikow moved on to his next project, launching his latest company, The Lab Press, in 2023. According to Nicholas Kalikow, The Lab Press is a publishing company that prints high-quality graphic novels, comic books, fine art, and photography books.

As a writer, director, producer, and the CEO of Sacred Bull Media, Nicholas Kalikow has left his distinct mark on the film industry and solidified his reputation as a skilled filmmaker. In doing so he has carried on the Kalikow legacy of successful and ambitious entrepreneurship. Nicholas Kalikow is also an accomplished photographer who has traveled the globe documenting breathtaking landscapes, people, and of course, classic cars.

Peter Kalikow holds great excitement for the future of HJ Kalikow and eagerly anticipates the continued legacy of the Kalikow name through his children. He takes pride in their abilities to forge their own paths and is confident that they will make significant contributions to the family’s business and beyond, carrying forth the Kalikow values and entrepreneurial spirit.