John Cushman III, a member of the family that founded Cushman & Wakefield, died Thursday at age 82.
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Cushman was the firm’s chairman of global transactions at the time of his death, following a 60-year career in commercial real estate. His death was announced by Cushman & Wakefield on Thursday evening.
“John’s successes in commercial real estate were extremely notable but his positive impact on so many careers are what mattered to him even more,” a company-issued statement from the family said. “John always valued the importance of giving back and was a staunch supporter of many philanthropic efforts. His contributions to so many organizations will contribute to his legacy.”
Cushman started his career as a tenant rep with Cushman & Wakefield in 1963 in New York before moving to Los Angeles to establish the company’s Southern California office. In 1978, Cushman and his twin brother, Louis Cushman, started their own firm, Cushman Corporation Realty. That company merged with Cushman & Wakefield in 2001 and John became global chairman of the board.
He and Lou were the sixth generation of the Cushman family to work in commercial real estate — Cushman told Bisnow in 2011 that real estate is “the genetic imbalance in the family.” His four sons also joined the industry, forming the seventh generation in the business.
Some of his career highlights were negotiating a 4M SF lease for Merrill Lynch's global headquarters in New York City’s World Financial Center in the 1980s and negotiating Boeing’s relocation from Seattle to Chicago in 2001.
Cushman was also active in philanthropy, working at the Boy Scouts of America Foundation’s Los Angeles chapter and donating $2M to build the Cushman Watt Scout Center in LA.
“John was an extraordinary businessperson and global citizen who significantly impacted Cushman & Wakefield, the commercial real estate industry and broader community. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and all who join us in mourning this profound loss. John will be greatly missed and fondly remembered,” Cushman Executive Chairman Brett White said in a statement.
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