Douglas Durst is the chairman and a member of the third generation to lead The Durst Organization. Douglas was born in New York City in 1944 and graduated from the Fieldston School and the University of California Berkeley. He is married to Susanne Durst, with whom he has three children: Anita, Alexander and Helena. He joined The Durst Organization in 1968, learning the business from his father, Seymour, and two uncles, Roy and David.

Under the leadership of Douglas and his cousin Jody, The Durst Organization built the nation’s first sustainable skyscraper, 151 West 42nd Street, and the first LEED Platinum high-rise office tower, The Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park. Today, the company owns, manages and operates a 13 million square foot office portfolio and nearly 3,500 residential rental units, as well as overseeing the development, management and leasing of One World Trade Center.

Douglas is the chair of the Real Estate Board of New York, a board member of The New School and trustee emeritus of The Trust for Public Land. He has been involved with the theatrical arts for many years and is a member of the board of directors of The Roundabout Theater and Primary Stages. Along with other family members, he is a trustee of The Old York Foundation, established by his father, which is committed to helping people through education to understand the history and issues facing New York City. In addition, Douglas has been an environmental activist for many years and founded The Model Organic Farm Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates one of the largest organic farms in New York State