Stefan Soloviev

Soloviev is a real estate scion committed to forging his own path. 

Unlike other real estate heirs, Soloviev came into the business late and had a troubled relationship with the patriarch who made him, billionaire Sheldon Solow. When Soloviev left New York in his early 20s to move out West and out of his father’s orbit, he changed his name, from the Americanized Solow to the pre-Ellis Island Soloviev. 

“Soloviev may have been born with a platinum spoon in his mouth, but it left a bad taste,” TRD wrote in a profile of the magnate in 2023.  

He pursued his passion as a grain farmer and agricultural landlord, but inherited his father’s $4.4 billion real estate empire in 2020. Soloviev sold off much of the inheritance to pay a massive estate tax. 

Since then, Soloviev has merged his extensive agricultural holdings with the family company, as Soloviev Group, with a portfolio that includes a commercial assemblage of properties on West 57th Street. The group recently lost its bid to build a casino on its lot near the United Nations, an $11 billion proposal, but scooped up 24 West 57th Street for $67 million. What will happen to the Freedom Plaza parcel next is still up in the air.

— Lilah Burke