Daniel Levin (1930–2025)

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Daniel Levin, AB’50, JD’53, a member of the Harris Council since 1985 and a visionary real estate developer in the Midwest. Daniel passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind an enduring legacy of generosity, leadership, and dedication to the Harris School of Public Policy.

Together with his wife, the former Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin, Daniel contributed significantly to the cultural and academic life of Harris for decades. Reflecting on Daniel’s impact, Dean Ethan Bueno de Mesquita said, “Daniel’s loss will be felt greatly by all of us who had the opportunity to know and learn from him. Fay and Daniel’s support of and contributions to the Harris School and the University have been innumerable in the decades since they both joined the Harris Council.”

Daniel was the founder and chairman of The Habitat Company, a leader in real estate development since 1957. He was known for transforming Chicago’s landscape, including the creation of the East Bank Club on a former railroad yard. Beyond this iconic project, his efforts spanned the development and management of over 25,000 residential units, including market-rate, affordable, public, senior, and student housing. Daniel was instrumental in the financing, structuring, and equity syndication of Habitat’s programs.

As Habitat reflected in their tribute, Daniel embraced a philosophy that extended far beyond real estate: “No project is only an investment in real estate. It is an investment in the future of the community and in the lives of the people who live and work there.”

In addition to his service to Harris, Daniel was deeply engaged in civic and cultural life. He served as a trustee of WTTW Public Television and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and as vice chairman of the Board of the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Daniel earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Chicago, leaving an indelible mark on the University and the Harris School. He will be remembered not only for his transformative work in real estate but also for his dedication to improving communities and supporting future generations of policy leaders.

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