John Tishman dies at 90; New York developer whose firm shaped L.A. skyline
New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, left, developer John Tishman, center, and New York Gov. George Pataki with a scale model of the 42nd Street development project in New York. Tishman’s firm worked on some of the nation’s largest development projects, including Disney’s EPCOT Center and the World Trade Center in New York.
John Tishman, whose Tishman Realty and Construction Co. helped create modern L.A.’s skyline, from downtown to Century City, has died. He was 90.
Tishman’s company also helped build the World Trade Center in New York City and Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center in Florida, among other high-profile developments.
Tishman died Saturday morning at his home in Bedford, N.Y., about 35 miles north of New York. Family spokesman John Gallagher says he died of respiratory failure.
Tishman joined his family’s construction business in 1948 after serving in the Navy and working as a schoolteacher.
The firm was heavily active in building skyscrapers in Los Angeles after World War II, including twin towers in Century City, the Macy’s Plaza complex, the Ronald Reagan federal building and the 48-story Wells Fargo bank building downtown. The firm also constructed numerous office towers in the Wilshire corridor from Mid-Wilshire to Westwood Village.
Tishman is survived by a son, a daughter and three grandsons.
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