Chris Lazari | |
---|---|
Born | May 1946
Dora, Cyprus |
Died | (aged 69) North London, England |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Property developer |
Spouse | Maritsa Lazari |
Children | 3 |
Christos Lazari (May 1946 – 27 July 2015) was a Cyprus-born British billionaire property developer.
Chris Lazari was born in Dora, Cyprus, [1] the son of a builder. [2] In 1962, he emigrated to England. [3] At the time, he was 16 years old. The event was prompted by the discovery that his parents were in fact his foster family. [1] According to Lazari, "I was in my third year at the Lanition Gymnasium of Limassol. I boarded the MV Messapia and sailed to England." [1] He left Cyprus with just £20. [2]
With money he saved from washing dishes and working as a waiter, Lazari studied fashion design in London [2] and set up the Drendie Girl clothing label, which successfully sold in London's high-street retailers. [2] [4] In 1978, using the profits from his fashion business, he moved into property. "My father was a builder and I was taught the value of real estate from a very early age." [2]
In 2002, it was reported that Lazari owned commercial and residential property in London's Mayfair and Baker Street, as well as two acres (0.81 ha) along Tottenham Court Road. [5]
His company Lazari Investments owned 2.5 million sq ft (230,000 m2) of London property as of 2015, most of which were offices. [4] Six estates formed 92% of the property portfolio, all in the prime West End of London with a seventh property in north London. The most recent acquisition was the Brunswick Centre, purchased for £135 million in 2014, bringing 45 retail shops, a cinema and 408 flats. [2]
In 2012 Lazari stated, "In my early twenties I began investing in small properties to secure my young family’s financial position with money I earned from my involvement in the fashion business." [3] In May 2014, The Sunday Times estimated his net worth at £1.104 billion. [6]
Lazari and his wife Maritsa had three children and lived in Hampstead, London. [4] [7] His wife Maritza is listed as a co-founder of Lazari Investments, and their three children, Len, Nicholas and Andrie are all directors. The two sons have economics degrees, and Andrie has a property law background. [2]
The president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, is a former schoolmate and a close friend. [4] In 2014, Lazari said that if Anastasiades ever needed to use a private jet, then he would pay for it. [3]
Lazari died on 27 July 2015 at his home in north London of a heart attack. [8]
Chris Lazari | |
---|---|
Born | May 1946
Dora, Cyprus |
Died | (aged 69) North London, England |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Property developer |
Spouse | Maritsa Lazari |
Children | 3 |
Christos Lazari (May 1946 – 27 July 2015) was a Cyprus-born British billionaire property developer.
Chris Lazari was born in Dora, Cyprus, [1] the son of a builder. [2] In 1962, he emigrated to England. [3] At the time, he was 16 years old. The event was prompted by the discovery that his parents were in fact his foster family. [1] According to Lazari, "I was in my third year at the Lanition Gymnasium of Limassol. I boarded the MV Messapia and sailed to England." [1] He left Cyprus with just £20. [2]
With money he saved from washing dishes and working as a waiter, Lazari studied fashion design in London [2] and set up the Drendie Girl clothing label, which successfully sold in London's high-street retailers. [2] [4] In 1978, using the profits from his fashion business, he moved into property. "My father was a builder and I was taught the value of real estate from a very early age." [2]
In 2002, it was reported that Lazari owned commercial and residential property in London's Mayfair and Baker Street, as well as two acres (0.81 ha) along Tottenham Court Road. [5]
His company Lazari Investments owned 2.5 million sq ft (230,000 m2) of London property as of 2015, most of which were offices. [4] Six estates formed 92% of the property portfolio, all in the prime West End of London with a seventh property in north London. The most recent acquisition was the Brunswick Centre, purchased for £135 million in 2014, bringing 45 retail shops, a cinema and 408 flats. [2]
In 2012 Lazari stated, "In my early twenties I began investing in small properties to secure my young family’s financial position with money I earned from my involvement in the fashion business." [3] In May 2014, The Sunday Times estimated his net worth at £1.104 billion. [6]
Lazari and his wife Maritsa had three children and lived in Hampstead, London. [4] [7] His wife Maritza is listed as a co-founder of Lazari Investments, and their three children, Len, Nicholas and Andrie are all directors. The two sons have economics degrees, and Andrie has a property law background. [2]
The president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, is a former schoolmate and a close friend. [4] In 2014, Lazari said that if Anastasiades ever needed to use a private jet, then he would pay for it. [3]
Lazari died on 27 July 2015 at his home in north London of a heart attack. [8]