Anthony E. Malkin (left) and Peter L. Malkin, beneath portrait of Lawrence A. Wien

Lawrence A. Wien acquired and syndicated 200 Fifth Avenue as the 1950s began. Before the decade ended, he was joined by his son-in-law, Peter L. Malkin. In the early '60s, they negotiated the purchase of neighboring 1170 Broadway and linked the two properties with a sky bridge to create an expanded and more versatile trade center.

When a decision was made to sell the complex in late 2004, it was Peter's son, Anthony E. Malkin, who guided that process. Anthony Malkin has been working with his father for 16 years. Peter Malkin worked side-by-side with his father-in-law for 30 years, until Mr. Wien's death in 1988.

"Continuity, planned succession, and creativity have been the keys to our strength and longevity, and a principal reason why investors have put their faith in us across the generations," says Peter Malkin, Chairman of the Malkin family business entities, including Wien & Malkin Securities Corp. "That continuity has enabled us to build upon the sum of our collective real estate investment experience, which is a priceless asset we use for the good of our investors and our own, consistent interests."

Market environments change over time, of course, and today Wien & Malkin offers real estate investment opportunities that differ in many respects from the opportunity represented by 200 Fifth Avenue in the mid-20th century. But the hallmarks of Wien & Malkin investments remain applicable throughout the range of its offerings: careful, patient due diligence; conservative structures, with built-in investor safeguards; and above all, a focus on value.

"We never do a deal for the sake of doing a deal," says the Chairman. "In over-heated markets we grow even more cautious and pull back from the hottest sectors to search for more promising opportunities. That is the secret of long-range success, and the reason why, in addition to our newer investors, our roster of thousands of accredited investors is filled with family names we've known for more than half a century."