The LeFrak Family

The members of the LeFrak family know what it means to be part of a dynasty.

The LeFraks are among New York’s most prolific rental landlords and have been since the beginning of the 20th century. LeFrak Organization, founded by Aaron LeFrak in 1905 and majorly expanded by Samuel J. LeFrak, is probably best known for its 5,000-unit LeFrak City in Queens or its role in kickstarting the development of Battery Park City.

The highly regulated rental housing industry can make for a difficult business in New York. The LeFraks took a hit financially when New York State passed the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act in 2019, which made it nearly impossible to raise rents on rent-stabilized apartments.

But market-rate rents have soared in the past few years, driven by high demand. And the LeFraks are expanding, most recently starting work on a 530-unit high rise tower in Jersey City. There’s also the major project underway in the sixth borough – LeFrak is master-planning SoLé Mia, a 184 acre development in North Miami, along with Turnberry.

And unlike some others, this family knows how to plan for its next generation. Current patriarch Richard LeFrak is winding down his leadership and sons Jamie and Harrison are being groomed as fourth-generation heirs to the family business. The firm also elevated its first executive from outside the family in 2025 when it tapped Adam Silfen as president and COO.

— Lilah Burke