David Lee (real estate developer)

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| name = David Y. Lee

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| birth_date = {{circa}}1955

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| alma mater = Northwestern University

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| occupation = Physician, real estate investor

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| spouse = Miki M. Nam

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David Y. Lee is an American real estate developer known for holdings in Los Angeles.

Early life

David Y. Lee was born {{circa}}1955.{{cite news|last1=Ho|first1=Soyoung|title=Bankers, Grocers and Lots of Kims|url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2009/0112/040.html|accessdate=May 11, 2016|work=Forbes|date=January 2, 2009}} He graduated from Northwestern University, where he received a medical degree.

Career

Lee began investing in properties after the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He acquired the California Mart from investor Judah Hertz for US$135 million in 2004-2005.{{cite news|last1=Vincent|first1=Roger|title=Major L.A. Landlord Buying California Market Center|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-12-fi-mart12-story.html|access-date=May 11, 2016|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=November 12, 2004}}{{cite news|last1=Vincent|first1=Roger|title=California Market Purchase Is Completed|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-30-fi-rup30.5-story.html|access-date=May 11, 2016|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=April 30, 2005}}

His company, Jamison Properties, has a portfolio valued at $3 billion in 2008 and includes Banco Popular Center, MCI Center and Macy's Plaza in downtown LA. Much of his portfolio is concentrated in properties on Wilshire Boulevard.

In 2013, Jamison sold the former Macy's Plaza multi-use complex for $241 million to The Ratkovich Company.{{cite web|last1=Miet|first1=Hannah|title=Jamison finds its way home|url=https://therealdeal.com/la/issues_articles/jamison-finds-its-way-home/|website=The Real Deal|publisher=Korangy Publishing Inc.|accessdate=8 March 2018}}

On Feb. 23, 2018, at a meeting with Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson and a community advocacy group that had campaigned against his project at 3700 Wilshire Boulevard, Dr. Lee reportedly said he would use his AR-15 rifle to shoot people who step on his land. Dr. David Lee later apologized for his remarks.{{cite web|last1=Deegan|first1=Tim|title=Developer in Dispute with Community Stakeholders Warns, ‘I’ll Use My AR-15’|url=https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/15021-developer-in-dispute-with-community-stakeholders-warns-i-ll-use-my-ar-15|date=March 5, 2018|website=City Watch }}{{cite news |last1=Madans |first1=Hannah |last2=Samtani |first2=Hiten |title=Jamison's David Lee threatened to use assault weapon over Koreatown project dispute: report |url=https://therealdeal.com/la/2018/03/06/jamisons-david-lee-threatened-to-use-assault-weapon-over-koreatown-project-dispute-report/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |agency=The Real Deal |publisher=Korangy Publishing Inc. |date=March 6, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Deegan |first1=Tim |title=Developer in Dispute with Community Stakeholders Warns, 'I'll Use My AR-15' |url=https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/2016-01-01-13-17-00/los-angeles/15021-developer-in-dispute-with-community-stakeholders-warns-i-ll-use-my-ar-15 |accessdate=7 August 2019 |agency=CityWatch |publisher=CityWatch Los Angeles |date=5 March 2018}}{{cite news |last1=KIM |first1=VICTORIA |title=A wealthy developer owns a rare plot of green in a very crowded part of L.A. What does he owe his neighbors? |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-liberty-park-jamison-20180406-story.html |accessdate=7 August 2019 |agency=Los Angeles Times |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 6, 2018}}

Following the Los Angeles City Council’s vote to make 3700 Wilshire Boulevard a Historic-Cultural Monument, preserving the building and the park, Jamison Properties agreed to preserve the disputed open space. Garrett Lee, president of Jamison Properties and Dr. Lee’s son, said the company respected the city’s decision and would preserve the open space. He said the company was proud to be a part of Koreatown and wanted to work with the community “for the betterment of our neighborhood.”

Philanthropy

Lee is on the board of directors of the Korean American Museum.{{cite web|title=KAM Board of Directors|url=http://www.kamuseum.org/about/fr_brd.htm|website=Korean American Museum|accessdate=May 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417200933/http://www.kamuseum.org/about/fr_brd.htm|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=dead}} He has made charitable contributions to the UCLA School of Dentistry.

Personal life

Lee is married to Miki M. Nam, a dentist.

Dr. Lee has four children. Three of his children work for Jamison Realty, the company he founded. His daughter, Jaime Lee, is CEO of Jamison, his son Garrett leads the residential development company, and Phil runs the commercial property management.{{cite web|last1=Vendt|first1=Whitney|title=Jaime Lee: The Thrill of the Deal|url=https://csq.com/2017/04/jaime-lee-jamison-thrill-deal/#.WqF9QmbMxTY|website=CSQ|publisher=C-Suite Media|accessdate=8 March 2018}}

References

Category:Living people

Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles

Category:Northwestern University alumni

Category:American businesspeople in real estate

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)