Real Estate Icon Yellin Dies
Los Angeles real estate developer Ira Yellin, who was responsible for restoring several area landmarks, has died at the age of 62, reportedly from lung cancer complications.
Yellin, a principal of Los Angeles-based Urban Partners, helped restore such landmarks as Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building, the Million Dollar Theater, the Metropolitan Water District building and Union Station headquarters. He also led the restoration of the historic train terminal at Union Station. His firm is currently redeveloping the historic Herald-Examiner building, which once was slated to become a museum for the fashion industry.
The developer was the son of an Orthodox rabbi and was a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate and former Marine. He was committed to downtown Los Angeles at a time when many developers were staying away.
“He’ll be missed,” said Steve Needleman, chief executive officer of ANJAC Fashion Buildings. “He was totally committed to the Historic Core [in downtown Los Angeles] and he really made a difference.” —Robert McAllister
