Morris Cafritz
Morris Cafritz | |
---|---|
Born |
1888 Lithuania |
Died |
June 13, 1964, 77 years old Hot Springs, Virginia |
Residence | Washington, D.C. |
Known for | Real estate development and Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. |
Spouse(s) | Gwendolyn Detre de Surany |
Children |
Calvin Cafritz Carter Cafritz Conrad Cafritz |
Relatives | Julia Cafritz (granddaughter) |
Morris Cafritz (1888 - June 13, 1964) was a Washington, D.C. real estate developer, and philanthropist.
Early life and education
Cafritz was born in Lithuania to a family of Lithuanian Jews. Based on papers filed in court, Cafrtiz was born in 1888; however, the year of his birth is not known and Cafritz had often understated his age.[1] Along with his 4 siblings, he immigrated to the United States in 1898. After briefly settling in New York, the family moved to Washington and operated a small grocery store on 24th and P Streets NW.[1] Cafritz scouted the Maine Avenue Fish Market for fish for the store and sold newspapers on 15th Street, near the United States Department of the Treasury.[1][2] At the age of 19, he studied at the National University School of Law before realizing that he wanted to be in business, not law.[2] Cafritz began his business career in 1904 by buying the Star Coal and Coke Company, at 315 Q Street, with a $1,400 loan from his father.[1][3] In 1911, he owned a saloon, the Old-Timer's Bar, at 8th Street and K Street, Southwest, Washington, D.C.[2] He also acquired bowling alleys and by 1915, he was known as Washington's "bowling king".[3][1]
Real estate development career
In 1916, he began developing two-story row-houses.[2]
In 1922, he founded Cafritz Construction and acquired a large tract of land for $700,000, which he financed with a down payment of $35,000; he eventually built 3,000 houses on the site.[3] The first phase included 53 rowhouses in Petworth, which he sold for $8,950 each.[2][4]
He developed the Greenwich Forest neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland.[5]
He built the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel, at 14th and K Street.[1]
In 1932, he led the group that constructed the Westchester Apartments, at which Barry Goldwater resided.[3]
Cafritz built the Majestic Apartments.[1]
In 1938, he built his residence, a mansion at 2301 Foxhall Road, N.W.[4][1]
In 1949, he built the Cafritz Building, at 1625 Eye Street.[4]
He developed several office buildings along K Street, including 1725 K, 1725 I, and 1735 I Streets.[4][1]
Death
Cafritz died in 1964 of a heart attack. When he died, his estate was the largest ever probated in the District of Columbia. It took lawyers and IRS agents 4 years to settle the estate, which was valued in 1968 at $66 million.[1]
Philanthropy
He raised $250,000 to build the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, of which he was a charter member and president.[2]
In 1964, he offered to donate the Chase's Theater and Riggs Building as a performing arts center.[2]
The Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts at the DC Jewish Community Center is named for him.[6]
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Cafritz founded the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation in 1948, funding it with $11.5 million.[2] The foundation is the largest private foundation focused on Washington, D.C. It gives annual charitable grants of $20 million to nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. It has given over $500 million since inception. The foundation awards the Distinguished DC Government Employees Award to individuals who exemplify the best in public service.[7]
Family
In July 1929, Cafritz married Gwendolyn Detre de Surany, an immigrant of Hungarian descent and twenty years his junior; they had 3 children: Calvin, Carter and Conrad.[1][8] When Gwendolyn died in 1988, her instructions to leave her entire estate to the foundation was challenged by her children, who were already all multimillionaires.[1]
His granddaughter is musician and guitarist Julia Cafritz. Their home was located on Foxhall Road and is now the Field School.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Williams, Marjorie (February 25, 1990). "CAFRITZ V. CAFRITZ". The Washington Post.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ozer, Mark N. (March 3, 2010). Massachusetts Avenue in the Gilded Age: Palaces & Privilege. Arcadia Publishing.
- 1 2 3 4 "Morris Cafritz, Builder, Dead". The New York Times. June 13, 1964. (subscription required)
- 1 2 3 4 Solomon, Burt (June 29, 2010). The Washington Century: Three Families and the Shaping of the Nation's Capital. HarperCollins.
- ↑ Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. M:35-165 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form (PDF).
- ↑ "Center for the Arts".
- ↑ "Cafritz Awards Returns to Celebrate Outstanding DC Government Employees".
- 1 2 Anderson, Susan Heller (December 1, 1988). "Gwendolyn Cafritz, 78, Washington Hostess". The New York Times.