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Peter Kalikow
Peter Kalikow
from Wikipedia

Peter Stephen Kalikow (born December 1, 1942) is president of H. J. Kalikow & Company, LLC, a New York City-based real estate firm. He is a former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA),[2] former commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and past owner and publisher of the New York Post.

Key Information

Early life

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Peter Stephen Kalikow was born on December 1, 1942, and raised in Forest Hills, Queens, the firstborn son of Juliet (née Citrin) and Harold J. Kalikow.[3] Peter’s family is Jewish.[4]

His grandfather Joseph Kalikow emigrated to the United States from Russia in 1899 and began the Kalikow real estate dynasty by developing housing on large tracts of undeveloped farmland in Queens in the 1930s. By the 1950's Joseph and his sons made a small fortune from the post-World War II housing boom having built over 20 six-story apartment buildings.

Career

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After graduating from Hofstra University, Kalikow began his career in real estate in 1967.

His first building was the Park Kensington, completed in 1969 in Great Neck.

In the late 1970 Kalikow befriended Alfred Momo, a former car racing team manager who worked for Jaguar. The two collaborated to create the Momo Mirage.[5][6] The concept was featured on the front cover of the December 1971 issue of Road & Track. Due to the market and economic situation in Italy where the car was being produced, only a handful examples were built.[7]

In 1973 Kalikow shifted his full attention to real estate. By 1984 Kalikow had built over 10 residential properties, including the office building 101 Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan, and acquired several other properties, including one in London. [8][9] He acquired 195 Broadway in 1983.

In 1988, Kalikow purchased The New York Post from Rupert Murdoch for $37.6 million. In 1993, Kalikow declared bankruptcy and lost the newspaper, which was eventually purchased by Murdoch's News Corporation.

Kalikow served as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from March 2001 to October 2007.[1] He was appointed by then-governor George Pataki, and continued his service into the governorship of Eliot Spitzer.[10]

In May 2000, Kalikow was named chairman of the Grand Central Partnership, one of New York City's Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).[11] Kalikow company officers are located in 101 Park Avenue, located near Grand Central Terminal.

Political involvement

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Kalikow endorsed Herman Cain in the US presidential election, 2012.[12] When Cain dropped out of the race, it was revealed that his "super PAC", called "Cain Connections,"[13] was funded by a single $50,000 donation from Kalikow.[14]

Philanthropy and accolades

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In 1982, he was awarded the Israel Peace Medal for his dedication to assisting the nation's development.[15] In November 2008, Kalikow was honored by Consul General of Italy Francesco M. Talo,[11] with the Commendatore[11][16] in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Kalikow has sat on the board of trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 1987.[17] He also received a John Jay Award from Columbia College in 2004.[18]

In 2015, Kalikow, a Hofstra University trustee and alumnus, established the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs at Hofstra with a $12 million gift. Kalikow has been instrumental in enhancing Hofstra's reputation as one of the preeminent universities with a focus on the American presidency. Prior to this gift, Kalikow endowed the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies and the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency. Kalikow also donated to Temple Emanu El, where the chief rabbi position is named after him.

Personal life

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In 1971, he married Mary Typaldos Jacobatos;[19] they have two children, Nicholas Alexander and Kathryn Harold. He is known for his car collection, with a particular passion for vintage Ferraris.[20][21]

His daughter Kathryn Harold works with her father at HJ Kalikow and Co LLC. and represents the fourth generation of ownership and leadership of the Kalikow Organization.[22][23] She is named for her grandfather Harold [24] who began HJ Kalikow with his son Peter in 1965. She is a Principal owner and is involved with all aspects of the company’s assets and operations[25] including property management of 101 Park Avenue, a commercial office building in Midtown Manhattan.[26][27]

References

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from Grokipedia
Peter S. Kalikow is an American executive and principal of H.J. Kalikow & Company, LLC, a firm founded by his family in the early 20th century that now oversees a portfolio exceeding $5 billion in assets. A alumnus who joined the business in 1967 and became president in 1973, Kalikow expanded its operations amid the 1980s boom before navigating a in 1991 triggered by market downturns and overleveraging, from which he reemerged to restore the company's prominence. Kalikow's career also encompasses media ownership, as he acquired and published the from 1988 to 1993 in an effort to sustain the tabloid amid financial pressures, ultimately relinquishing it during his restructuring. From 2001 to 2007, he chaired the , managing post-9/11 disruptions including the collapse of the World Trade Center's adjacent to a key subway hub and advancing projects like the $1.5 billion Fulton Street reconstruction to restore transit resilience. His leadership during this era involved coordinating with federal aid and private stakeholders to mitigate long-term economic impacts on New York City's . Beyond business, Kalikow has engaged in philanthropy, serving as a founding trustee of the Museum of Jewish Heritage and earning Israel's Peace Medal for contributions to Jewish causes and U.S.-Israel relations. Active in industry groups like the Real Estate Board of New York, he exemplifies multi-generational stewardship in urban development, prioritizing operational continuity over speculative risks post-recovery.

Early Life and Education

Family Origins and Childhood

Peter Kalikow was born on December 1, 1942, in , New York, as the firstborn son of Harold J. Kalikow and Juliet Kalikow (née Citrin). His father, Harold, led the family's real estate firm, H.J. Kalikow & Co., which had roots in early 20th-century New York property development, building on foundations established by previous generations in . The Kalikow family's origins trace to Hungarian Jewish immigrants, with the original surname Weiss; Peter's grandfather, born Ferenc Weiss on November 2, 1894, adopted the anglicized name Kalikow upon or after . This lineage reflected broader patterns of Eastern European Jewish migration to New York in the early 1900s, where the family established community ties, including the formation of the in Brooklyn's Borough Park in 1921 for charitable support. Kalikow spent his childhood in , attending local public schools including P.S. 3, P.S. 169 in Bayside, and I.S. 157, immersing him early in the working-class and middle-class neighborhoods of the borough amid his family's growing involvement in . These formative years in Queens shaped his familiarity with urban development challenges, though specific personal anecdotes from this period remain limited in public records.

Academic Background and Early Influences

Peter Kalikow attended Boston University for one year before transferring to Hofstra University, from which he graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. During his time at Hofstra, Kalikow later recalled not being particularly studious, citing challenges such as contracting mononucleosis and motivations to maintain student deferment status amid the Vietnam War draft. In recognition of his subsequent achievements, Hofstra awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1986 and named him Alumni of the Year in 1988. Kalikow's early influences were predominantly shaped by his family's multigenerational involvement in New York real estate, rather than specific academic mentors or coursework. Born on December 1, 1942, in Forest Hills, Queens, he grew up in a building owned by his family before moving to a private house in the early 1950s. His grandfather, a Russian immigrant, founded H.J. Kalikow & Co. in 1927 by acquiring large tracts of Queens farmland and developing rental properties, establishing the firm's foundational approach to opportunistic land acquisition and construction. Kalikow's father, Harold, expanded the business after World War II by building thousands of apartments in Queens, often taking young Peter to construction sites and his office, where he absorbed practical knowledge of building processes and deal-making. This hands-on exposure instilled an early affinity for real estate development, which Kalikow joined full-time in 1967 upon completing his degree, eventually assuming the presidency in 1973 and full control after his father's death in 1982.

Professional Career

Real Estate Development

Peter S. Kalikow entered the family real estate business in 1967, joining H.J. Kalikow & Co., LLC, a firm founded in 1925 that initially focused on construction and property management before expanding into development. He assumed the presidency in 1973, following the death of his father Harold, and led the company through a period of aggressive expansion in commercial and residential properties across New York City. Under his direction, the firm developed millions of square feet of office space and constructed numerous residential buildings, contributing to the city's skyline while maintaining family ownership across four generations. A cornerstone project was the 101 Park Avenue office tower, completed in 1982 as one of the first major new developments in the Grand Central district, spanning 1.3 million square feet and serving as the company's headquarters. The 50-story building, designed with modern amenities, anchored the firm's commercial portfolio and earned recognition including the Golden Circle Award for its development. In residential ventures, Kalikow acquired 14 buildings in Manhattan's neighborhood in , revitalizing the York Avenue Estate amid efforts. Kalikow also pioneered downtown hospitality with the Hotel Millennium, a 58-story, 561-room property opened in June 1992 at Church and Fulton Streets opposite the World Trade Center, financed by a $156 million bank consortium. This venture represented a calculated risk in an underdeveloped area, predating widespread hotel growth, and was later sold in 1994 for $75 million. Additional projects included residential developments in Queens areas such as , Briarwood, and , expanding the firm's holdings in multifamily housing. His contributions garnered industry accolades, including the Harry Helmsley Award and the Building Owners and Managers Association Award for Excellence, reflecting leadership in and development. Kalikow served as a governor of the Real Estate Board of New York, advocating for sector interests amid economic cycles. The firm's centennial in 2025 underscored its enduring impact on New York .

Media Ownership and Publishing

In March 1988, Peter Kalikow acquired the , the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the United States, from for $37.6 million. As the new owner and publisher, Kalikow pledged to stem the paper's ongoing financial losses, which had persisted under prior ownership, by emphasizing operational efficiencies and editorial adjustments. During his tenure from 1988 to 1993, Kalikow invested an additional $10 million in computer equipment and infrastructure to modernize production, yet the newspaper continued to incur substantial operating deficits. By November 1989, after approximately 20 months of ownership, cumulative losses exceeded $80 million, prompting Kalikow to express cautious optimism about potential recovery through cost controls and revenue growth, though market competition from other New York dailies intensified pressures. In May 1989, he dismissed editor Jane Amsterdam, citing dissatisfaction with editorial quality and circulation trends as factors in the decision to seek new leadership. Kalikow's media ambitions extended briefly to interest in acquiring the rival New York Daily News amid its 1992 bankruptcy proceedings, positioning himself as a prospective buyer to consolidate tabloid influence in the city, though no deal materialized. His control of the Post ended in 1993 following his personal bankruptcy filing, which stemmed partly from intertwined real estate debts but included the unprofitable newspaper asset; the paper was subsequently sold to . This period marked Kalikow's sole significant venture into media ownership, with no subsequent publishing involvements documented.

Public Service in Transportation

Peter Kalikow served as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 1995, appointed by Governor George E. Pataki, contributing to oversight of regional transportation infrastructure including bridges, tunnels, airports, and the PATH rail system. Kalikow's most extensive public service in transportation occurred as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from March 13, 2001, to October 22, 2007, also appointed by Pataki and reappointed in 2006 for a six-year term before resigning to allow new leadership. During this tenure, he oversaw the MTA's most significant capital expansion program in over six decades, focusing on subway and rail improvements amid post-9/11 recovery and funding constraints. Key initiatives under Kalikow included reviving the Second Avenue Subway project, estimated at $17 billion to extend from 125th Street to Lower Manhattan over 15 years, and advancing the $6.3 billion East Side Access project to connect Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal by 2010-2012. He also secured approval for the #7 subway line extension to West Side Manhattan, reconstructed the $400 million South Ferry station, and redesigned the $750 million Fulton Street-Broadway Nassau complex using federal post-9/11 funds. Kalikow prioritized fleet modernization, procuring 4,400 new rail vehicles and deploying 500 hybrid buses, while establishing the MTA Capital Construction Company to streamline major project delivery. These efforts addressed chronic underinvestment, though they faced challenges such as federal funding shortfalls, weather disruptions, and political opposition, prompting Kalikow to advocate for streamlined approvals and state support to avoid scaling back ambitious plans. His resignation in 2007 cited adherence to term limits and the appointment of a new to sustain momentum.

Political Involvement

Party Affiliations and Endorsements

Peter Kalikow has been a longtime Republican, consistently supporting Republican candidates through financial contributions at federal, state, and local levels. His donations include significant sums to Republican committees and victory funds, such as contributions to the Trump Victory Fund in 2016 alongside other New York executives totaling over $2.2 million. In presidential primaries, Kalikow endorsed in November 2011, marking one of Cain's first major New York backings amid the Republican field. He initially supported John Kasich's 2016 campaign, raising funds for the , but shifted to urge Republican unity behind after the primaries, hosting a high-dollar fundraiser for Trump at his Club 101 venue in June 2016 and authoring op-eds criticizing intra-party efforts to deny Trump the . Kalikow described Trump as having energized GOP voters despite early reservations, positioning him as the party's best chance against Democrats.

Policy Advocacy and Public Positions

Kalikow served as chairman of the from March 2001 to October 2007, during which he prioritized capital investments to modernize New York City's transit infrastructure, including advancing the Second Avenue Subway and projects, procuring 4,400 new subway cars, and creating the MTA Capital Construction Company to oversee major developments efficiently. He opposed service reductions proposed in MTA budgets, advocating instead for sustained investment to maintain system reliability without compromising core operations. In transportation policy, Kalikow has emphasized managerial accountability and strategic spending over unchecked funding increases. In a 2017 New York Times , he contended that the MTA's existing $32 billion capital plan for 2015–2019 provided ample resources, but required stronger leadership from the board and Governor to prioritize upgrades to aging signals, tracks, communications, and power distribution rather than seeking perpetual bailouts. He has criticized state underfunding, as in 2016 when he faulted Cuomo for failing to allocate sufficient resources to the transit system amid growing demands. During the crisis, however, Kalikow lobbied President Trump for an additional $4 billion in federal aid to the MTA in April 2020, highlighting the agency's $8.5 billion revenue shortfall from ridership collapse and the risk of national economic disruption if subway service faltered, given New York City's 10% contribution to U.S. GDP. As a Republican donor and commentator, Kalikow has backed conservative national policies, initially supporting John Kasich's 2016 presidential bid with over $325,000 to aligned super PACs before pivoting to endorse Donald Trump's candidacy. In May 2016, he argued in a that Trump, having secured a record 11 million primary votes, deserved party unity to reclaim the presidency and congressional majorities, praising his negotiation skills for bridging divides. Kalikow aligned with Trump's immigration enforcement, favoring for employment checks and prioritized deportation of criminal non-citizens, while supporting a streamlined tax code and market-driven healthcare reforms to supplant the . He has defended the Republican primary system's democratic integrity, decrying in a March 2016 New York Post piece establishment maneuvers to deny Trump delegates despite voter mandates, which he viewed as elitist overreach alienating grassroots supporters. Kalikow's financial contributions have consistently favored Republican entities, including parties, candidates, and PACs at federal and state levels, reflecting his pro-business orientation rooted in .

Philanthropy and Civic Contributions

Educational and Cultural Gifts

Peter Kalikow has directed substantial philanthropic resources toward educational institutions, with a focus on his , . An early gift funded the establishment of the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and endowed the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies. A subsequent $10 million donation created the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, and International Affairs at Hofstra, encompassing eight academic departments, interdisciplinary programs, and centers including the existing presidency center. Kalikow's cultural contributions emphasize historical preservation through museums dedicated to wartime and Jewish heritage. In 1990, he provided the initial funding as the first donor for the feasibility study that launched the , now known as the . His sustained support includes service on the museum's board of trustees from 2003 to 2006 and the naming of the Peter and Mary Kalikow Entrance Plaza following renovations to the Memorial Pavilion. At the —a living memorial to —Kalikow donated $1 million in 1988 alongside other major contributors to support its founding and development in . In 2022, he and his wife, Mary, established the Peter and Mary Kalikow Research Center in partnership with JewishGen, providing physical access to extensive resources for tracing Jewish family histories and heritage.

Honors and Recognitions

Kalikow received the Peace Medal, the State of Israel's highest civilian award, in 1982 for his longstanding support of the nation's development through and . In 1986, conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, followed by designation as the institution's Alumni of the Year in 1988 for his professional achievements and contributions to public life. For his leadership in real estate development and management, Kalikow was awarded the Award and the Award for Excellence from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York. The New York Building Congress honored him at its Industry Recognition Gala during his tenure as chairman, recognizing his role in advancing infrastructure and urban development initiatives. In 2004, Columbia College presented Kalikow with its Award, acknowledging distinguished alumni service to the community and nation. The New York State Senate issued a legislative resolution in 2009 honoring him for exceptional civic contributions, particularly in transportation and economic development. Earlier, in 1987, the recognized his philanthropic efforts, and in 1989, the awarded him and his wife its inaugural Jacob K. Javits Award for advancing civil rights and interfaith dialogue.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Interests

Peter Kalikow married Mary Typaldos Jacobatos on June 17, 1971, in a ceremony at the in officiated by Ronald Sobel. The couple has two children: son Nicholas Alexander Kalikow and daughter Kathryn Kalikow. Kalikow maintains a prominent collection of classic automobiles, with a particular focus on Ferrari models, which he began acquiring in 1967. His holdings include rare specimens such as the 250 SWB California Spyder and multiple Superamericas, reflecting a decades-long passion for the marque that started in his youth. Kalikow has participated in prestigious events like the , showcasing vehicles from his collection.

Recent Developments and Ongoing Impact

In 2025, H.J. Kalikow & Co., the family-owned firm founded by Peter's father Harry Kalikow in 1925, marked its centennial with events and media coverage highlighting a century of development in , spanning four generations of family leadership. Peter Kalikow, as president, emphasized in interviews the company's enduring focus on commercial properties like 101 , a tower that remains a asset despite market challenges such as rising vacancies reported in September 2024 from tenant departures. Politically, Kalikow maintained his Republican affiliations through a $100,000 contribution on October 15, 2024, to Mission Iowa, a super PAC supporting GOP efforts in . This aligns with his historical pattern of endorsing candidates like and , reflecting ongoing advocacy for conservative policies amid New York's shifting political landscape. In media, while Kalikow no longer owns the —having sold it after a 1993 —his past stewardship from 1988 to 1993 continues to shape perceptions of the outlet's tabloid style, though he has not published recent op-eds there since 2019. Kalikow's philanthropic legacy persists through endowed positions, such as the Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, invoked in public discourse as recently as October 2025 on issues like . Institutions like the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of at sustain his influence on education. Overall, his impact endures via the intergenerational Kalikow enterprise, which manages key NYC assets, and through board roles at organizations like the New York Museum, ensuring contributions to Jewish causes and civic infrastructure outlast his direct involvement.

References

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