The Real Deal New York

Harry HelmsleyFrom the July issue: The last pieces of the Rhinelander estate — which were amassed over more than 200 years and at one time had been one of New York’s great real estate fortunes — were sold 50 years ago this month for $9 million.
Rhinelander Real Estate, led by board chairman Philip Rhinelander 2nd, signed a contract to sell 32 properties in Manhattan and Queens to a group of investors headed by developers Lawrence Wien and Harry Helmsley. At the time, the pair was on a buying spree. Indeed, one month later they announced they were negotiating to acquire the Empire State Building. Compiled by Adam Pincus [more]