The Shapolsky family has been actively buying Manhattan real estate since 1935 and accumulating as many as 250 buildings by 1960. The family business consisted of renovating and managing their portfolio of Lower East Side and Harlem tenement houses. 

​

By the 1960's the family business had grown so large it had to be split into different factions. Books and articles have been written over the past 80 years about the Shapolsky empire. Refer to shapolsky et al manhattan real estate holdings. a real-time social system.

 

Since the 1980s the family has moved into the purchase of non-preforming loans and commercial and industrial real estate in over 20 states, China, and Mexico.

​

The only remaining principle, Arthur Shapolsky has outsourced and passed on the day to day activities to others. After 62 years being active, Mr. Shapolsky still is fascinated by where Manhattan real estate is going, and monitors daily activities. 

​

In 1994, the Shapolsky organization contracted to build 100,000 apartments in 10 cities in China and partnered with The Chinese Government, Bill Zeckendorf and I.M.Pei.  

​

Shapolsky owned all the land under the highline from 18th street to 25th street.

​

Shapolsky worked to help develop office building sights for Olympia and York, the largest owners of commercial office buildings in New York City. 

​

Shapolsky worked alongside Paul Ingrassia (Global Real Estate at Citi Bank) to purchase the Seagram building at 375 Park Avenue. Along with Verizon and Steve Benson, formally of Salomon brothers. No surprise, the purchase never happened. 

 

Mr. Shapolsky, a major contributer to many different religious and charitable organizations, received the Yeshiva Heritige award along with Israel Englander of Millennium Management. 

​

In an effort to transform his portfolio and focus more on commercial and industrial real estate, Shapolsky sold 125 of his residential properties to Harry Skydell, a prominent New York City owner. 

​

During the Guiliani Administration, Shapolsky helped clean up the Times Square area by repositioning his buildings.

​

As of 2019, Shapolsky sees great opportunities in the Florida real estate market and turned towards the purchase of non performing loans. 

​

over the years, Shapolsky has collected numerous one tenant net leased banks, cvs', and government occupied buildings. most recently, in 2021, he has purchased part of the Verizon headquarters building in Basking Ridge New Jersey, and an amazon distribution center in Ohio. 

​

THIS IS ONLY A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAST 87 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY OF THE SHAPOLSKY FAMILY OFFICE.