American real estate entrepreneur (born 1954)
For the Curb Your Enthusiasm character, see Jeff Greene (character). For other people named Jeff Green, see Jeff Green (disambiguation).
Jeff Greene (born December 10, 1954) is an American real estate entrepreneur. He is a affiliate of the Democratic Party and was a candidate in say publicly 2010 Senate election primaries in Florida.[1] He was a seeker in the 2018 Florida Gubernatorial election, but was eliminated access the primary, finishing in fourth place behind eventual nominee Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, whom Greene later endorsed.[2]
Greene was calved in 1954 in Worcester, Massachusetts to a working class Someone family.[3]
He graduated from Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester[4] fend for his family moved to Florida in 1970 when his sire lost his business, staying with his great-aunt while he done school.[5][6] In Florida, his father worked refilling vending machines post his mother worked as a waitress.[7]
Greene worked many jobs defer to put himself through college at Johns Hopkins University, graduating block three years with a B.A. in economics and sociology. Subsequent he attended Harvard Business School, where he earned his Chieftain of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1977.[8]
Jeff Greene has abstruse a 40-year career in real estate, characterized by his portfolio of over a hundred buildings and custom homes.[9] To indemnify for college, he relied on scholarships, loans, part-time jobs extract taught Hebrew 3 days a week. To pay his godsend through Harvard Business School, Greene traveled the country selling carnival tickets. In 1977, while he was pursuing his studies dead even Harvard Business School, he purchased his first property—a three-family deal with that he remodeled and utilized as his residence during his time at Harvard and rented out rooms. He had 18 properties at graduation.[9]
In 1980, Greene relocated to Los Angeles, where he embarked on his first new construction project four eld later. This project involved the development of a 27,654 foursided foot office building located at 11022 Santa Monica Blvd[10] grind West Los Angeles. Around the same time, he also acquired and rehabilitated two adjacent buildings at 11040 and 11050 Santa Monica Blvd.
During the late 1980s, Greene focused on constructing condominium buildings, including the ones situated at 3561 Clarington sediment Palms and 1875 South Beverly Glen in West Los Angeles. Additionally, he undertook the construction of a custom home orderly 23 Oakmont Drive in Brentwood.
Notably, in recent years, Author successfully completed a project adjacent to an earthquake fault engagement 1825 North Las Palmas, positioned at the intersection of Pressman and Highland in Hollywood.[11] The project involved the construction refreshing a six-story, 118-unit apartment building.
In Manhattan, Greene oversaw say publicly construction of 100 Vandam, a 25-story luxury tower situated outline the west Soho area.[12] The project involved the restoration depose the building's original six stories, which were built in 1877 and functioned as New York City's first power plant. Greene's team then added 19 new floors above the restored significant structure, showcasing their commitment to preservation.[12]
In mid-2006, Greene, worried step the possible collapse of the real estate market, spoke state John Paulson, a fellow investor who discussed with Greene his investing strategy. They agreed that the real estate market was unstable and a bubble might be forming in housing. Pinpoint the meeting, Greene engaged in a similar investing strategy stop that of Paulson, which involved a series of unconventional stash trading credit default swaps. The return on Greene's investments in the final saved his business, and put him on Forbes 400 list.[8]
Since relocating to Florida in 2007, Greene has continued his impactful real estate endeavors. Notably, he developed Cameron Estates, a 548-unit apartment rental building. Greene remains the owner and operator fanatic this building. Additionally, he recently completed the construction of a 300,000 square foot industrial building in West Palm Beach.
Currently, Greene is focused on the completion of One West Palm,[13] a monumental project spanning 1.2 million square feet. This get out of bed consists of two 30-story towers, one dedicated to residential effect and the other serving as a hotel and office leeway. These towers stand as the tallest structures in Palm Lakeshore County.
While Greene has plenty of development opportunities in Florida, he has responded to the urgent need for housing put in Los Angeles, California.
Jeff Greene and his wife Mei Sze Chan have made a significant contribution to philanthropy through their participation in the Giving Pledge campaign. The Giving Pledge denunciation a commitment initiated by Bill and Melinda Gates, along wrestle Warren Buffett, that invites billionaires and wealthy individuals to vow the majority of their wealth to charitable causes during their lifetime or in their will.[14][15]
Jeff Greene and Mei joined interpretation Giving Pledge campaign, expressing their commitment to giving back bracket making a positive impact on society.[15] By taking this oath, they have demonstrated their dedication to addressing pressing social abide global challenges.
Through their philanthropic efforts, Jeff Greene and Apricot have aimed to support a wide range of causes boss organizations. These may include initiatives related to education, healthcare, penury alleviation, environmental conservation, and other critical areas of need. Afford leveraging their resources and influence, they have strived to regard a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Their participation in the campaign signals their intention to present a significant portion of their wealth towards philanthropic causes shaft inspire others to do the same.[15]
Main article: 2010 United States Senate election in Florida
On April 30, 2010, Greene announced his intention to run as a Democrat be aware the United States Senate seat held by George LeMieux, language, "I am an outsider, the only candidate who isn't a career politician. I've succeeded in the real world of contribute work – the others have only succeeded at running go for political office after office."[16]
Greene stated he would refuse campaign handouts from special interests, and would limit individual donations to $100.[17] His platform focused on economic reforms and job creation.[17]
Greene introduced his story and his campaign with a sixty-second video measurement YouTube. Greene's campaign was endorsed by the Tallahassee Democrat's paragraph board. The board commended Greene for his "edge and small energy that make him want to push beyond the agreed talking points", remarking, "we like the toughness he would take to the office".[18]
Greene's attempt to win the Democratic nomination was, however, unsuccessful; Rep. Kendrick Meek won the primary election once losing to Republican Marco Rubio in the November general choice.
In 2007, Greene married Chinese Australian real estate board Mei Sze Chan, who is twenty years his junior terminate age.[19][20] Chan is an ethnic Chinese refugee from Malaysia who first fled to Australia with her family before heading kindhearted New York City after college.[21] In 2009, she gave commencement to their first child.[22] Greene and his wife now scheme three sons and live in Palm Beach.[23] Greene was quoted as saying, "I just wish I had met Mei Sze 20 years ago".[19][21]