In New York, the name Larry Silverstein is synonymous with the World Trade Center. Silverstein, whose father opened a real estate brokerage in 1957, reached the pinnacle when he signed a 99-year lease for the Twin Towers in July 2001, only to lose them two months later on 9/11. Since then Silverstein has rapidly rebuilt 7 World Trade Center but has otherwise been mired in the morass of battles over trade center redevelopment. He ultimately had to cede the rights to build the centerpiece Freedom Tower, though he is developing three other skyscrapers at the site. Meanwhile the Silversteins have found life elsewhere. Larry's children Roger and Lisa have led the family's leasing business and are developing residential high-rises on West 42nd Street.
