Daniel E. Levin

During his long career, Levin was a leading visionary and civic leader in Chicago. His confidence and love for the city, its neighborhoods, its people and his pride in the city’s enduring promise led him to take risks and to invest in overlooked areas of the city. That mission served as his North Star. His belief in the extraordinary potential of Chicago led to Habitat’s creation of nearly 25,000 units of rental and condominium housing for people of all incomes. He created jobs, forged partnerships and catalyzed ancillary development that improved the lives of countless Chicagoans.

Habitat was founded on the belief that all residents, regardless of income, deserve to feel immense pride in their homes and their communities. Levin embraced these goals on a daily basis for well over 50 years and left an enduring legacy. His properties included Presidential Towers, South Commons, Columbus Plaza and ONE333, among many others. His vision inspired him to take a risk on property that is now East Bank Club where he served as Chairman and Founder and which is now considered the finest physical fitness and social facility in the country.

Levin received a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Chicago. But it was real estate development that was Levin’s true interest. Along with James McHugh, Levin founded The Habitat Company, which became a respected real estate development and property management company. In 1987, Levin and The Habitat Company were appointed receiver of the Chicago Housing Authority Scattered Site housing development program. In that capacity, Habitat oversaw the revitalization of nearly 2,800 public housing units citywide. Helping low-income families through The Habitat Company was, and remained, his true passion throughout his professional career. He believed deeply, and lived, the philosophy of giving back.

Levin was a member of the Leadership Council of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, a long-serving trustee of WTTW/WFMT, and vice chairman of the board of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. He was a board member of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and was honored for his commitment to civic leadership both by the college and by the American Jewish Committee. Additional honors included the Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame in 1997, Crain’s Chicago Business “20 Who Make a Difference” in 2000, and as a “Legendary Landmark” by the Landmarks Association in 2018.

Separate and apart from his significant professional achievements, Levin’s ready smile, humility and warmth shared with all who knew him will be what is remembered the most. His abundant love for life and for his family, friends and associates was deeply felt by each of them. Levin greatly enjoyed connecting with people, from career professionals to restaurant servers to Uber drivers to bank CEOs. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Amb. Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.), his son, Joshua (Josh) and his wife, Debra, of Washington, D.C.; his daughters, Judith (Jil) Deheeger and her husband, Jean Pierre, of Winnetka, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Bernardaud and her husband, Michel, of Paris, France; 11grandchildren: Michael (Ashley Moy-Wooten), Steven (Gisselle Mejia), Marc, William, Charles, Emma, Pierre (Marie Altmayer), Lucy, Benjamin (Marta Zarzeka), Ethan and Arye; and two great-grandchildren. Survivors also

include his adoring stepchildren Alyssa Rapp (Hal Morris), Jeffrey Rapp (Amanda Kane) and their children.

In lieu of flowers, Contributions to WFMT (Chicago’s classical music station) would warm his heart. https://secure.wfmt.com/honor_memorial. Funeral service will be private. For info Weinstein and Piser Funeral home, 847-256-5700