Alan Casden
Alan I. Casden | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1945 |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate developer, investor, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Known for | Developing over 90,000 multi-family residential units; founder of Casden Properties, LLC |
| Spouse | Susan Dedmon Casden |
| Children | 5 |
Alan I. Casden (born 1945) is a prominent American real estate developer, investor, and philanthropist. Since the 1980s, his enterprises have been responsible for developing more than 90,000 multi-family residential units.[1] He currently owns approximately 3,100 upscale apartments in the Los Angeles area.[2]
Early life and education
Raised in a Jewish household,[3] Casden is the son of a liquor distribution businessman.[4] His bar mitzvah took place at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where he continues to hold membership.[3] Initially pursuing history as his major, he transitioned to accounting after his freshman year at UCLA and enrolled at the University of Southern California. He graduated cum laude from USC's Leventhal School of Accounting in 1968,[1] earning both a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from USC.[5]
Career
Following his graduation, Casden began working at Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a leading accounting firm serving major U.S. residential real estate developers, where he gained valuable industry experience.[1] In 1969, he established the firm's San Francisco branch.[1] By 1975, supported financially by the Canadian Belzberg family, Casden assumed control of Los Angeles-based apartment developer Robert Mayer's company.[4] After encountering strategic differences, he acquired Belzberg’s stake in 1980,[4][1] subsequently renaming the business Casden Properties, LLC and situating its headquarters in Beverly Hills.[3]
Utilizing tax benefits and deductions effectively, Casden successfully developed affordable housing projects,[4] expanding Casden Properties into one of the nation's largest multi-family real estate developers. The firm has won 30 significant design awards and earned acclaim from the New York Times for applying urban planning principles to mitigate urban sprawl.[1] In 2002, he divested most of his holdings to Denver-based REIT Apartment Investment & Management Company (AIMCO) for $1.1 billion through a combination of cash, stock, and debt assumption.[4]
Philanthropy
A notable Jewish philanthropist, Casden contributed $10.6 million to USC supporting the Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life, funding a dean’s chair at the Leventhal School, and founding the Casden Real Estate Economics Forecast within USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. He holds a position on USC’s Board of Trustees.
In 2008, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Honorary Delegation commemorating Israel's 60th anniversary and later named him to a five-year term on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council overseeing the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Casden actively supports Jewish organizations such as the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance, serves on Yeshiva University's Los Angeles board, and was recognized as a "friend of Jerusalem" for his involvement in the Jerusalem 3000 celebration.
His contributions to community service, academia, and real estate development have earned him numerous accolades including the Los Angeles County Leadership Award and Beautification Award. Additionally, he participates on advisory boards for USC’s Marshall School of Business, Leventhal School of Accounting, and Lusk Center for Real Estate.
Professional affiliations
Casden holds memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on advisory panels such as the National Multi-Family Housing Conference and the Multi-Family Housing Council. Additionally, he participates in the President's Council of the California Building Industry Association and is a member of the Urban Land Institute.
Personal details
Casden is married to Susan Dedmon Casden, and together they have five children. Their family home is located in Beverly Hills, California.
External links
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