More. . .

Law School Mourns the Passing of Daniel Levin, ’53

A Real Estate Developer and Philanthropist Whose Generosity Helped Make Possible the Law School's Reflecting Pool

Daniel Levin, '53

Daniel Levin, BA, ’50, JD ’53, founder and chairman of The Habitat Company, died on Saturday at the age of 94.

The Levin Reflecting Pool in the courtyard in front of the Law School building was made possible through the generosity of Levin and his wife, Fay Hartog-Levin, philanthropists and longtime supporters of the Law School. The reflecting pool was recognized for its architectural excellence by the American Society of Landscape Architects, which bestowed its highest honor on the Law School for renovating the Eero Saarinen-designed courtyard to include it.

In discussing the gift, Levin said: “Fay and I have vast respect for the Law School, for its intellectual rigor and its social commitment.”

Reflecting Pool
The Levin Reflecting Pool in front of the Law School

A real estate developer since 1957, Levin directed the financing, structuring and equity syndication of a variety of nearly 25,000 rental and condominium units in 98 locations and six states and more than $3.0 billion in assets under management.

In a tribute to Levin, the Habitat website notes: “His management philosophy and approach to business was embodied in a quote that can be recited by nearly everyone he has influenced, ‘No project is only an investment in real estate. It is an investment in the future of the community and in the lives of the people who live and work there.’”

Levin was a member of the visiting committee of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. He served as a trustee of WTTW Public Television and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and also was vice chairman of the Board of Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Levin was honored for his commitment to civic leadership by the American Jewish Committee and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Additional honors include the Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame in 1997 and Crain’s Chicago Business “20 Who Make a Difference” in 2000.

Read more: