Congratulations to Larry and Alfred for their recent induction into the Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame. This video highlights the enormous impact and successes of Larry and Alfred Klairmont of Imperial Realty as they are inducted into the Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame.
The father-son real estate duo of Larry M. Klairmont and his eldest son Alfred (Al) M. Klairmont will be inducted into the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 24 during CAR’s 132nd Inaugural Gala in the Hilton Chicago. Larry Klairmont is founder and CEO of Imperial Realty Company in Chicago and Alfred is president. Crain’s Chicago Business ranks Imperial Realty as Chicago’s 4th largest office space manager and its 11th largest property manager. Together, the Klairmonts have acquired and redeveloped 150 commercial properties. Currently, they manage more than 3,000 tenants in more than 10 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and residential space. “In their impressive 38 years together at the helm of Imperial Realty Company, Larry and Al Klairmont have made an indelible impact on the Chicagoland community and the real estate industry at large,” CAR said in a press release. “Through the Klairmonts’ numerous contributions to the real estate industry, they have carefully crafted a legacy of exceptional achievement, integrity, pride, dedication and hands-on care. They are truly inspirational and a model to follow for the next generation of REALTORS®,” continued CAR president Hugh Rider.
The Founder and Chairman of the CAR Hall of Fame and the CAR Education Foundation–Sheldon F. Good–agrees.“The Hall of Fame, created in 1986, not only recognizes the exceptional achievement and character of stellar real estate professionals such as the Klairmonts, but also honors role models who have positively and profoundly influenced younger generations entering the real estate field.” Other Hall of Fame inductees have included such individuals and companies as Arthur Rubloff, Marshall Bennett, Gerald W. Fogelson, J. Paul Beitler and The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies.
Larry Klairmont began his real estate career in 1956 when he purchased two industrial buildings during his first venture as a successful business owner of Imperial Cleaners, a 100-store dry cleaning chain, the largest in Chicago at the time (1952-1962). The two buildings were key to the operation of his dry cleaning chain. Prior to starting Imperial Cleaners, Larry Klairmont attended law school and served as a decorated World War II veteran. He received two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star for fighting in Iwo Jima and Saipan, two of the War’s bloodiest battles. Soon after he sold his dry cleaning chain in 1962, he purchased and renovated his first investment property – the oldest commercial building in his hometown of Highland Park, IL – at 638 Central Ave. As Larry Klairmont continued to acquire a mix of warehouses and office buildings, his 10-year-old son Al became interested in his father’s real estate dealings. “I only invest in bricks and mortar,” Larry has said, and his passion for real estate clearly found its equal in his son Al. After Al graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (5/21/78 -B.A., Economics and Real Estate), he joined his Dad at Imperial Realty one day later. Together, the Klairmonts have built their commercial real estate portfolio, having yet to default on a mortgage or renegotiate a purchase contract while under due diligence. At present, Imperial Realty owns 100 buildings and retail centers, of which, only two carry significant mortgages. Ever the generalist, Al Klairmont continues to direct all company activities with the same hands-on approach he learned from his father. He’s active in the real estate and greater Chicago community. In addition, he holds board memberships and has served in various leadership roles on 16 different civic
and professional boards and committees.
Al Klairmont has made an impact on the careers of thousands of real estate students, too, as the long-time Educational Chairman of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation in Northfield, IL. Under Al Klairmont’s leadership, the Foundation now offers 13 unique programs for real estate students which are not available elsewhere. [The Eisenberg Foundation is named in honor of Highland Park resident Harold Eisenberg, a colleague of Al’s who died suddenly from liver cancer at the age of 53. Eisenberg was the co-developer of Renaissance Place, a major, multi-use complex in downtown Highland Park.] Although semi-retired, Larry, 88, still maintains an influential presence at the Imperial Realty Company offices. He also enjoys collecting classic and antique automobiles to further enhance his 400-car, Klairmont Kollection. The Klairmont Kollection, stored and exhibited at an industrial building in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood, is opened to charities for events and private tours. To purchase tickets to the CAR Gala, please visit ChicagoREALTOR.com.
About Imperial Realty
In 1956, Larry Klairmont founded Imperial Realty Company and began carving out a niche in the acquisition and redevelopment of troubled properties as well as the management of commercial buildings and general real estate brokerage. Today the company is listed in Crain’s Chicago Business as the 11th largest property manager and the 4th largest office space manager. Focused on commercial real estate services and general brokerage services, Imperial Realty Company provides office, retail and industrial property brokerage, investment property brokerage, asset property and facilities management, tenant representation, acquisition, receiverships, development and design/build construction. With an established reputation of integrity and forward thinking, the firm has redeveloped more than 10 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and
residential properties. The Imperial team of 30 professionals, includes brokers, property managers, project managers, architects, maintenance staff, attorneys and corporate officers.
About CAR
Since 1883, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® has served as the “Voice of Real Estate®” in Chicago and the suburbs, representing more than 13,000 members from all real estate specialties, including commercial sales, development, property management, appraisal, auctions and residential sales.
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