Who were "Bing & Bing"?

May 12, 2005 8:58 AM

I live in a "Bing and Bing" building. People seem to think it's a big deal so I tried to Google them: the only thing that comes back is expensive apartments for sale in New York highlighting that they are in "Bing and Bing" buildings. Does anyone know who "Bing and Bing" where (I'm assuming they were real estate developers)? Why their building are considered so interesting/important? What is their history? I'm also assuming that they disappeared from the scene sometimes between the late 20s and today? What happened? Were they wiped out by the great depression? Any New York historian out there willing to help?
posted by TNLNYC to home & garden (4 comments total)

One citation here indicates it was a construction company.
posted by beagle at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2005

A biography of producer Steve Bing states that he's heir to a $600 million real estate fortune largely built by his grandfather, Leo Bing, who developed luxury apartment houses in New York.

According to this site (which has some more information on Leo), the other Bing was his brother, Alexander M. Bing. They were apparently both lawyers with a knack and passion for real estate.
posted by icontemplate at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2005

Bing & Bing were brothers and the builders of several properties designed by the architect Emery Roth inthe 20s and early 30s. The buildings are very solid; many have sunken living rooms and fireplaces. There is a real emphasis on service, with excellent staff and immaculate lobbies

according to this
posted by dublinemma at 9:42 AM on May 12, 2005

Alexander and Leo Bing were considered NYC's leading property developers at the turn of the 20th Century. Being in a "Bing & Bing" building is like being in a "Trump" building, albeit a lot less tackier (which is to say, without everything plated in gold). Alexander Bing was also quite socially minded. He, along with Eleanor Roosevelt, helped form the CHC (the City Housing Corporation), which created Sunnyside Gardens in Queens ("a thoroughly conscious and workable community"). See article.
posted by jacknose at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2005