Basil Samuel
Encyclopedia
Basil Samuel was the founder of Great Portland Estates
, one the United Kingdom
's largest property businesses.
with J. Trevor & Sons, Basil Samuel went into partnership with his brother, Howard, in 1934. Together they started buying up properties in the West End. He served in the British Army
in the rank of Captain during World War II
and in 1945 returned to London
to resume developing properties. In the case of at least one of these properties, Basil and Howard worked in joint venture with Lord Samuel of Wych Cross
, their cousin.
In 1959 Basil Samuel established Great Portland Estates
and expanded it into one of the United Kingdom
's largest property businesses.
Samuel was a prominent horse breeder and owner and was also keen on shooting
. He also gave significant sums to charity and was a Governor of the London Hospital
.
Great Portland Estates
Great Portland Estates plc is a British property development and investment company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index...
, one the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest property businesses.
Career
After training as an estate agentEstate agent
An estate agent is a person or business that arranges the selling, renting or management of properties, and other buildings, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. An agent that specialises in renting is often called a letting or management agent...
with J. Trevor & Sons, Basil Samuel went into partnership with his brother, Howard, in 1934. Together they started buying up properties in the West End. He served in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
in the rank of Captain during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and in 1945 returned to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to resume developing properties. In the case of at least one of these properties, Basil and Howard worked in joint venture with Lord Samuel of Wych Cross
Harold Samuel, Baron Samuel of Wych Cross
Harold Samuel, Baron Samuel of Wych Cross was the founder of Land Securities, one of the United Kingdom's largest property companies.-Career:...
, their cousin.
In 1959 Basil Samuel established Great Portland Estates
Great Portland Estates
Great Portland Estates plc is a British property development and investment company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index...
and expanded it into one of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest property businesses.
Samuel was a prominent horse breeder and owner and was also keen on shooting
Shooting
Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
. He also gave significant sums to charity and was a Governor of the London Hospital
Royal London Hospital
The Royal London Hospital was founded in September 1740 and was originally named The London Infirmary. The name changed to The London Hospital in 1748 and then to The Royal London Hospital on its 250th anniversary in 1990. The first patients were treated at a house in Featherstone Street,...
.