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Barry Levites

Barry H. Levites (c. 1940 – May 2010) was an American real estate investor, lender, and landlord active in New York City. He headed the Bronx Board of Realtors (later the Bronx–Manhattan North Association of Realtors) and was principal of Levites Realty Management, LLC and related firms. Levites was widely noted for operating a value-based hard-money lending business, managing multiple Bronx and Manhattan properties, and serving as a prominent borough real estate figure.

Career

Levites entered the New York real estate industry by the 1960s, later shifting focus to private mortgage lending. A federal opinion described his business model as “hard money” lending on a loan-to-value basis, with most loans secured by first mortgages.

He served as president of the Bronx Board of Realtors, the borough's main trade group (now BMNAR). Publications such as CooperatorNews and the New York Real Estate Journal document the role of the organization during his tenure.

Properties and transactions

Levites-affiliated entities owned or managed properties across the Bronx and Manhattan:

  • In 1982–84, Levites purchased and later transferred 444-446 East 58th Street, Sutton Place, into a cooperative corporation.
  • In 2015, his estate sold 225 Central Park North, a 49-unit rental, for $33 million.

Levites Realty Management, LLC was also licensed as a principal office broker and engaged in property management across multiple Bronx sites.

Press coverage

Levites’ management drew coverage in local and trade outlets. In 2014, Bronx Times, Norwood News, and The Real Deal reported on steep rent hikes imposed at a Kingsbridge shopping plaza managed by Levites Realty Management; the increases were later frozen following community pushback.

Litigation

Levites and his companies were parties to several lawsuits:

  • Martinez v. Levites Realty Management, LLC (Bronx Sup. Ct. 2018): premises liability at 2565 Grand Concourse.
  • Osorio v. Louis Richardt Holdings LLC (2017): litigation naming Levites Realty entities in discovery.
  • In re Pradeep Thakur (S.D.N.Y. 2013): federal opinion detailing Levites’ lending operations.
  • Baron Associates (Estate of Barry Levites & Ronald Rettner) v. David Leo (Westchester 2013): contract dispute over a Levites-connected partnership.

Philanthropy

In 2011, Washington University in St. Louis dedicated the Barry H. Levites Chabad House, housing Chabad on Campus.

Death

Levites died in May 2010. Paid death notices in The New York Times described him as a “real estate magnate” and community leader.

See also

References

External links