J
acob Chetrit, a prominent member of the influential Chetrit family in New York real estate, has passed away. The news was confirmed by the Ohel Moshe Synagogue and reported by The Real Deal. A family representative declined to comment on his death.Jacob was a key player in Manhattan and South Florida's real estate markets through his company, the Chetrit Organization. He owned several notable properties, including 1 Whitehall Street in the Financial District, which spans over 366,000 square feet. Jacob also collaborated with his brother Joseph on large-scale projects in Pompano Beach and Hollywood Beach, among other ventures.In 2020, he acquired the Daily News building from SL Green for $815 million, but the deal ultimately fell through due to the pandemic, leading to a dispute over the deposit.Jacob's brothers, Meyer and Juda, also invested in real estate separately and together, often causing confusion about which Chetrit was involved. Their companies, initially operating under the Chetrit Group name, split in the early 2010s, with Joseph and Meyer retaining the original name while Jacob and Juda formed the Chetrit Organization.Their family's entry into U.S. real estate began after their father's textile-importing business in Morocco. Funeral services for Jacob are scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 5, in Israel.