Geoff Palmer

Billionaire Palmer, no stranger to controversy, is developing his biggest project yet — 1,150 apartments downtown called the Ferrante on Beaudry Avenue.

Palmer, a third generation California builder and attorney, was named downtown’s “worst developer” by Curbed after he successfully sued the city and overturned zoning requirements to include affordable housing in new developments. And in 2017, Los Angeles settled a lawsuit against Palmer for $400,000 over a massive fire at a downtown construction site. The city alleged Palmer and companies allowed the creation of a fire hazard through construction methods and wanted $20 million.

Palmer founded one of the largest multifamily developers in Los Angeles. The company owns a portfolio of more than 15,000 Southern-California apartments, valued in excess of $6 billion dollars. He has apartments throughout Los Angeles, most Italian-inspired — such as The Visconti on 3rd Street, The Medici on South Bixel Street and The Lorenzo on West Adams Boulevard. 

He’s also a financial backer for President Donald Trump, who has donated millions to his campaigns and hosted a fundraiser in Beverly Hills.

– Alena Botros