Rudolph Palumbo
Rudolph Palumbo (27 March 1901 – 16 July 1987) was a British property developer who made his fortune both before the Second World War by developing various sites such as Regis House[1] in the City of London and after by redeveloping bombsites.[2]
Early life
Rudolph (originally Rodolfo) Palumbo was born in London to the son of Italian immigrant parents Pasquale and Gaetana Palumbo from Amalfi, who ran a cafe in Lower Thames Street.[3][2][4]
Career
Palumbo's development company was called City Acre; he built its headquarters building in 1952,[4] at 37A Walbrook, as the family office. Following an extensive conversion by Mark Birley, the Walbrook Club opened in 2000.[5]
His portrait was painted by Oskar Kokoschka in 1960; this still hangs in its original position above the fireplace in what was his office and is now the dining room at 37A Walbrook.[4][5]
Personal life
Palumbo married Elsie Annie Gregory, a classical musician from Lancashire; their only child is Peter Palumbo, who like his father is a property developer.[2][6]
Rudolph Palumbo is buried in the churchyard of St Stephen Walbrook, London.[7]
References
- ^https://hobleysheroes.co.uk/unstratified/the-port-of-roman-london-revisited-at-regis-house
- ^ abcHollingsworth, Mark; Davies, Caroline. "Palumbo children accuse father of extravagance as family feud resumes". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^1911 England Census; London; City of London; St Sepulchre and All Hallows; 05
- ^ abc"Profile: Builder of dreams or monuments?: Peter Palumbo, a visionary at the Arts Council". The Independent. 1993-12-04. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^ ab"The Walbrook - The Dining Room". Walbrook-club.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^"Biography". Lord Peter Palumbo. 1935-07-20. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^"Grave Site of Rudolph Palumbo (1901-1987)". BillionGraves.com. 1987-07-16. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
