Rodney Propp is a New York-based real estate developer and co-founder of Tahl-Propp Equities.
Biography Propp was born to a Jewish family, the son of Seymour Propp.New York Sun: "A Pioneer in Harlem Real Estate Reaps the Profits" By PRANAY GUPTE June 2, 2005 His father gained majority control of the Quincy Mining Company and took it private. His grandfather was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania who became rich selling Christmas tree lights. He earned a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from the University of ChicagoTahl Propp Equities website retrieved December 23, 2013 and also studied at the London School of Economics and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. After school, he worked for the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert and then left to work for the family real estate business. In 1997, he left the family business after being prevented from expanding the family's investments in SoHo and founded Tahl Propp Equities with Joseph Tahl, former attorney for Donald Trump. They raised $15 million and bought 16 apartment buildings in Detroit and a 300,000-square-foot office building in St. Louis. After this first investment, they focused on investing in Harlem, then overlooked by other real estate investors.The Real Deal: "The quiet players - Meet some New York City empire builders who shun the spotlight" By Gabby Warshawer September 01, 2009 They also own the 500,000 square foot 3 Gateway Center in Newark, New Jersey. As of 2012, they owned 4 million square feet of residential and commercial real estate, including 3,500 units of housing in Harlem, with a focus on affordable housing.The Real Deal: "Tahl investors sue to open financial records" By David Jones March 30, 2012 They own and operate 17 affordable housing developments in Harlem and Washington Heights and eight conventional rental buildings.Real Estate weekly: "Housing developers in it for the long haul" By Orlando Rodriguez April 17, 2013
The two partners complement each other, with Tahl making the deals and Propp focusing on the financing.New York Times: "The 30-Minute Interview - Joseph A. Tahl" by VIVIAN MARINO August 13, 2013 They are known for rarely selling their buildings, instead letting their value grow as Harlem gentrifies.
Philanthropy and accolades Propp is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York, a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a director of specialty chemicals manufacturer, Peninsula Copper Industries. In 2008, he received the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding's Joseph Papp Racial Harmony Award for his efforts to strengthen race relations in New York's Harlem community. He serves on the Real Estate & Allied Trades Executive Committee of the United Jewish Appeal Federation in New York.UJA Real Estate & Allied Trades Executive Committee retrieved December 23, 2013
Personal life Propp was married to Eleanor Heyman,Martha Stewert Weddings: "A Modern and Formal White Wedding in Connecticut" retrieved December 23, 2013 daughter of American businessman Samuel J. Heyman.New York Times: "Samuel Heyman, a Corporate Raider, Dies at 70" By GERALDINE FABRIKANT" November 8, 2009 They have since divorced.Gotham Magazine: "Upper West Side Celebrity Real Estate News" by sally goldstein retrieved December 23, 2013 They have three children: Stella Propp, Juliette Propp, and Clara Propp.
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