1627-9 Interviews IRVING COWAN
Aug. 25, 2004
(858) 756-9745 Rancho Santa Fe CA
Was involved in Diplomat, Marco Polo and Shelborne.
Marg is Friedland's daughter. Sheborne built 1939. Arch Polivetsky
Was cutting teeth on Diplomat and not involved with Shelborne until Sam asked me to
take over around 1960. It was a natural progression to do both.
Shelborne was sold in 57 or 58 to Izzy Avers& (forgets name). They put an addition on
the front that took away the natural beauty of what it looked like. Then 150 rooms, entry
off Collins was lined with Royal Palms. If you walk to second set of elevators, that's
where original lobby was.
'58 was a disastrous winter. Owners went broke. We took back.
Married Marg in 1956, first home was penthouse of Shelborne. Been in and out of
'owning the Shelborne 2 or 3 times. Prior to owning now, when I looked at the property,
the nostalgia a got the better of me. It turned out to be a good investment.
Sold to condo owners; 2-3 owners in between. It was fully converted but hemmhoraging.
(sp)It's turned around now.
Manager Jay Rosen, been with me a long time, worked Diplomat 12-14 years.
Stuart Weintraub is second in command.
Worked as beach boy at Georgian.
Beach High, Ida M Fisher Junior High
I '