Los Angeles Icon Jerry Snyder Passes Away

Los Angeles developer Jerome H. Snyder, founder and president of J. H. Snyder Co., passed away over the weekend at the age of 90. Snyder is a local icon known for developing thousands of residential homes and millions of square feet in commercial space during his more than 70-year career as a builder. He passed away after a brief battle with cancer, and was surrounded by his family.

“Our industry has lost a great citizen,” David C. Irmer, president of the Innisfree Cos. and Creekside Associates, tells GlobeSt.com. “Jerry was a self-made real estate developer, and he made a career of building projects worthy of his site selections.  He was the most articulate, design-conscious developer I’ve ever known.  Jerry’s ability to visualize and create unique buildings on its site with monumental architecture and economic justification has been legendary throughout the industry.”

Snyder started his career at 19 remodeling homes and launched his first company, Snyder & Son—a ploy to win customer trust, since he was so young. Soon, he developed an 80-home community in Orange County, and by 22, he was developing 2,000 homes per year. In the 1970s, he expanded into the commercial sector and changed the company name to J. H. Snyder Co. He spent the remainder of his career investing in and developing office, retail and multifamily.

In 1978, he purchased 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, which became the iconic SAG-AFTRA Plaza. He remained the owner and operator of the building. “Jerry was far more than a wonderful landlord, he was a good friend to all, and a class act,” Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, executive director of SAG-AFTRA, says. “He said he loved having SAG-AFTRA as a longtime tenant because he enjoyed seeing known actors coming in and out of his building, and he was thrilled to be connected to showbiz.”

The complex was a gem in Snyder’s portfolio. It includes an 11-story office complex and the 1-million-square-foot Wilshire Courtyard. Snyder said property and its quality tenants helped put the “miracle” in Miracle Mile. He also played an active role as landlord and operator in the property, working closely with SAG-AFTRA. “He was extremely generous. Each year he would extravagantly decorate the lobby of our building,” adds Kichaven. “Every year I sent him a thank you and told him how much joy it brought our members, staff and visitors.  His response was: “What else is there in life but you bring people joy.”

Snyder never stopped innovating. He was currently under construction on The Residences at Wilshire Curson, a 20-story state-of-the-art apartment building with 285 luxury rental residences. The project received city approvals with no opposition. This is just one example of Snyder’s approach to development. “His creative genius is displayed in buildings he and his partners built in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California, and he never tired of introducing his friends and associates to his masterpieces,” says Irmer. “They will stand in iconic remembrance of a great man, a generous philanthropist, a civic leader, and my lifelong friend.”

In addition to his impact on the commercial landscape in Los Angeles, Snyder also was an active philanthropist. He and his wife Joan have contributed $3 million to endow three faculty chairs at the Stein Eye Institute, which they have supported for 40 years. They established the Jerome Snyder Systems Building and Housing Research Fellowship at the UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning.  Forty Snyder Fellows from 13 nations have pursued research under this program. “He was extremely kind, exuberant for life  and had a smile that brightened your day,” says Kichaven. “He was a real mensch and will be missed.”

Snyder has received several awards throughout his career, and was often named one of the Most Powerful Los Angeles Business Leaders.