Rudolph Palumbo

Rudolph Palumbo (27 March 1901 – 16 July 1987) was a British property developer who made his fortune redeveloping Second World War bombsites in London.[1]

Early life

Rudolph (originally Rodolfo) Palumbo was the son of Pasquale and Gaetana Palumbo from Amalfi, who ran a cafe in Lower Thames Street.[2][1][3]

Career

Palumbo's development company was called City Acre; he built its headquarters building in 1952,[3] at 37A Walbrook, as the family office. Following an extensive conversion by Mark Birley, the Walbrook Club opened in 2000.[4]

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.[3][4]

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.[1][5]

Rudolph Palumbo is buried in the churchyard of St Stephen Walbrook, London.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hollingsworth, Mark; Davies, Caroline. "Palumbo children accuse father of extravagance as family feud resumes". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  2. ^ 1911 England Census; London; City of London; St Sepulchre and All Hallows; 05
  3. ^ a b c "Profile: Builder of dreams or monuments?: Peter Palumbo, a visionary at the Arts Council". The Independent. 1993-12-04. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  4. ^ a b "The Walbrook - The Dining Room". Walbrook-club.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  5. ^ "Biography". Lord Peter Palumbo. 1935-07-20. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  6. ^ "Grave Site of Rudolph Palumbo (1901-1987)". BillionGraves.com. 1987-07-16. Retrieved 2016-12-01.