Charles Dayan (real estate developer)

Born to a Syrian Jewish family, who had emigrated from Mandatory Syria[1] to Mandatory Palestine (the immediate predecessor of modern Israel). Dayan emigrated to the United States in 1967,[1] and in 1972, with his brothers Eli and Avi, founded Bonjour International, a company that was the first to import low-cut French-style jeans into the United States using the Bonjour name.[1] He served as president of Bonjour International.[2] By 1982, Bonjour had $150 million in annual sales.[1] After leaving Bonjour International, Dayan founded the real estate development firm Bonjour Capital. Larger investments are made with partners and include the renovation of 5 Beekman Street with Joseph Chetrit;[3][4][5] the $290 million 2005 purchase (together with partners Joseph Chetrit and Yair Levy) of the 800,000 square foot historic 620 5th Avenue and its 2011 sale to RXR Realty, LLC for $500 million;[6] and the purchase of the Blake Hotel in Charlotte.[7][8] When not in a partnership, Dayan focuses on new developments in gentrifying neighborhoods in Long Island City in Queens;[9] Bedford-Stuyvesant and Clinton Hill in Brooklyn;[10][11] and Manhattanville in Manhattan.[12]

He is married to Ariela Ben-Dayan. Dayan was an early proponent of the green movement in the textile industry.[2][13] His brother Eli Dayan, founded the disco Tunnel in 1986.[1] Dayan serves on the executive committee of the Israel Cancer Research Fund.[14][15]

• Bonjour Capital website