Stephen R. Karp (born 1941) is an American real estate developer and billionaire.
Biography Karp was born to Beatrice G. (née Taylor) and Harold Karp.Boston Globe Obituaries: "Beatrice G. (Taylor) Karp" July 13, 2011 Karp worked construction during the summer while attending Boston UniversityBoston Magazine: "The 50 Wealthiest Bostonians" By Francis Storrs March 2006 where he graduated. After school, he worked for a real estate development firm whom he convinced to partner with him to develop a shopping center in Danvers, Massachusetts named the Liberty Tree Mall, one of the first enclosed malls in the Northeast.Combined Jewish Philanthropies: "Stephen R. Karp" retrieved July 12, 2014 The mall opened in 1972 and was successful. In 1978, he founded his real estate development company New England Development and then went on to develop over 20 malls before selling 14 of them for $1.75 billion to the Simon Property Group.Forbes: "The 400 Richest Americans - #374 Stephen R Karp September 21, 2006
Karp served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and the Urban Land Institute.
Philanthropy In 2013, Karp received the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) Edwin N. Sidman Leadership Award.Goulston Storrs Press release: "Goulston & Storrs Congratulates Longtime Client Stephen R. Karp of New England Development, Honored by Combined Jewish Philanthropies" February 2013 He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Boston Children's Hospital, as a trustee and chairman of Children's Hospital Trust, and as chairman of the Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Care; he also served on the Board of Trustees of Boston University, Belmont Hill School, and the Boston Youth Sanctuary. He is on the Board of Overseers of Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Personal life Karp is married to Jill Karp and has two children: Douglass and Jana.Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: "Steadfast Friends Continue Generous Support of Milestones Campaign" Fall 2012 His son Doug along with his best friend Ben Fischman (and son of New England Development's Vice Chairman Steven Fischman) co-founded the baseball cap retailer, Lids.
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