Founded in 1906 by Julius I. Kislak in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Kislak Organization is a pioneer in the real estate industry. “J.I.,” as Julius Kislak was known, established the business by knocking on doors, introducing the Kislak name to one client at a time and providing comprehensive customer service. J.I. was instrumental in developing the art of commercial real estate brokerage. In the decades that followed, the company expanded into real estate investments, insurance, mortgage services, banking, and asset and property management.
Left: Cradle of the Kislak Organization at 408 Clinton Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, where Julius I. Kislak made his home in 1906.
1906
With the 1906 opening of Kislak Realty in Hoboken, New Jersey, Julius I. Kislak launched what would become the Kislak Organization.
1938
Julius Kislak’s son Jay I. Kislak began his career with the family business in 1938 at 16, going door-to-door to sign up property listings.
1953
In 1953, Jay I. Kislak expanded the company’s mortgage services division. He founded J.I. Kislak Mortgage Corporation and moved the company’s operations to Miami, Florida, where he forged relationships with prominent business leaders and introduced such innovations as the no-no-mortgage with no down payment, no closing costs.
1960s
Jay I. Kislak became involved in banking, eventually establishing Kislak National Bank in Miami. With its strong focus on serving small business owners, condominium associations and residential borrowers, the bank met with great success and through the years grew to include eight branches in South Florida.
1971
The Kislak twin K symbol was created in 1971, reflecting on past achievements and looking toward future progress and continued success.
1990
By the 1990s, J.I. Kislak Mortgage Corporation had grown from six employees to more than 1,000, and the Kislak Organization was one of the largest privately held real estate and financial service providers in the United States. The organization included The Kislak Company, J.I. Kislak Mortgage Corporation, J.I. Kislak Insurance Agency, Kislak National Bank and a host of affiliates.
1996
J.I. Kislak Insurance Agency was sold to NIA/Kornreich LLC in 1996; and J.I. Kislak Mortgage Corporation sold its portfolio to several banks.
1999
In 1999, the Kislak Organization began expanding its real estate portfolio with the acquisition of multifamily and commercial properties.
2005
In 2005, Kislak National Bank was sold to Banco Popular, which today is known as Popular Community Bank.
Today
Having acquired and managed more than 7,000 multifamily units, and brokered more than 1,700 commercial real estate transactions with over $7 billion in gross sales since 2000, the Kislak Organization continues to thrive.
