He was also an author, publisher, founder of the Sterling Publishing Co. and founding director of the non-profit Southbridge Institute, which aims to create a global community of learning.
Early Life
Stern was born in Antwerp, Belgium, to Russian-Jewish immigrants from Poland, on March 21, 1923. His father, Moishe Schtern, was a tailor and his mother, Chaya Leah Schtern, was a homemaker.
In 1928, the family moved to Borough Park, Brooklyn, where Stern's father opened a tailor shop. Stern grew up in a Yiddish-speaking household, but he quickly picked up English and became an avid reader.
He attended public school in Brooklyn and went to New Utrecht High School, where he developed an interest in photography and literature.
Business Career
After high school, Stern worked for a local photographer before serving in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945, during World War II, reaching the rank of technical sergeant.
Following his honorable discharge, Stern returned to New York City and took classes at the New School for Social Research, the Art Students League, and the New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance.
He got a part-time job as a shipping clerk for Sterling Publishing Company, a small publisher of technical manuals then located on 34th Street.
In 1949, he purchased Sterling from its founder, and incorporated the company in September 1950. He later recruited William Goldberg, the son of his cousin Miriam, to help him run the business.
While his partners concentrated on the books and the retail trade, Stern developed the real estate business. He would see value in properties that had been overlooked or abandoned by others, and had a good eye for spotting real estate opportunities.
His first real estate acquisition in 1961 was a dilapidated building on Prince Street in SoHo. At that time, SoHo was a struggling industrial neighborhood filled with abandoned warehouses and artist lofts.
Over the next two decades, Stern and Goldberg purchased around 10 million square feet of property in the area, amassing a diverse collection of 200 buildings, many of which were in danger of demolition.
They carefully renovated and restored these properties, preserving their historic features while adapting them for commercial use.
As a result of Stern and Goldberg's efforts, SoHo was transformed from a neglected neighborhood into a thriving center for art, fashion, and commerce, leading to the revitalization of the entire district.
Sterling Publishing Co.
Under Stern's leadership, Sterling Publishing Company grew from a small publisher of technical manuals into an international publisher of books on a wide variety of subjects, including art, architecture, design, photography, history, nature, and cooking.
The company specialized in illustrated books, especially those that combined text with photographs or other visual material.
Through its diverse imprints, Sterling has published works by renowned authors, artists, and photographers, including Ansel Adams, Ernst Haas, Berenice Abbott, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon, becoming one of the prominent independent publishers in the United States.
Over the years, Sterling has published thousands of titles and developed a strong international presence with offices and distribution facilities in Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.
Writing Career
In addition to his business ventures, Stern was also an author and publisher of books related to photography, interior design, architecture, and art. He wrote several books, including "The Art of SoHo Lofts" (1983) and "SoHo: A History and Guide" (1988), which chronicled the history and transformation of the SoHo neighborhood.
He also edited and published a series of books dedicated to different neighborhoods in New York City, such as "The Village: A History and Guide" and "Brooklyn: A History and Guide."
Philanthropy
Throughout his life, Stern was involved in various philanthropic activities, particularly those related to education, the arts, and cultural preservation.
In 1988, he founded the Southbridge Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting lifelong learning and encouraging a free exchange of ideas.
Through workshops, seminars, and lectures, the Southbridge Institute fosters discussion and collaboration among individuals from different backgrounds, industries, and cultures.
Stern also supported numerous artistic and educational institutions, including the New School for Social Research, the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Legacy
Jacques Stern was a visionary entrepreneur and civic leader whose impact on the arts, business, and urban development in New York City is undeniable.
As the co-founder of Sterling Publishing Company and the purchaser of numerous historic buildings in SoHo, Stern played a pivotal role in SoHo's revitalization.
His determination, creative thinking, and commitment to cultural heritage have left a lasting legacy on the city.
He was widely respected and admired for his generosity, vision, and dedication to the arts and education, and his memory continues to inspire future generations.
Stern passed away in 2009 at the age of 86, leaving behind a rich legacy of entrepreneurial