Page 83 - How To Get Rich

which I have been involved with since 1974, when I first secured the
option to purchase them from the Penn Central Railroad. That was my first
major deal in Manhattan. Close to thirty years later, here we are discussing
the fifth and sixth buildings under construction. (Never give up.)

My eldest son, Don Jr., is also at the meeting. We are on schedule with
construction, and the first three condominium buildings have proven to be
very successful. However, neither Costas nor myself is likely to ever rest
on his laurels, and we are troubleshooting, going over every detail. If
Costas hadn’t been an architect, he’d have made a very good surgeon—
he’s just that meticulous. We get along famously, and I’d put him up there
with Philip Johnson as one of our most outstanding architects.

We are also discussing the reaction to the city park I developed and
donated to the city, which is on the West Side yards property. I hate to
disappoint people, but my detractors were not pleased about this twenty-
five-acre gift. What can I say? Except that you can’t be all things to all
people, no matter how hard you try.
I look over some kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and we decide to go

with the top of the line. My name and work have become synonymous
with quality, and there’s a reason for it. We don’t skimp on anything, ever
or anywhere. Don Jr. mentions looking forward to the topping-out party for
Building #4. That’s a big day for builders, and it’s a celebration when the
frame of the building, the superstructure, is completed, and everyone
involved meets at the top for a party.
9:30A.M. Norma comes in to tell me that Oscar de la Renta is on the

line, and Costas and I decide to meet again in a couple of weeks. Our new
Miss Universe, Amelia Vega, is from Santo Domingo, which is also the
birthplace of Oscar de la Renta. He wants to meet her, and I don’t blame
him. She’s a beauty, all six feet of her. We’re proud not only of her, but of
the Miss Universe contest, which has become extremely successful since I

bought it seven years ago. We beat out the competition in television
ratings and we are highly regarded internationally as well. Ecuador has
paid millions of dollars to host the 2004 contest, and we’re looking
forward to a great time there.
Back to Oscar—he’s a class act all the way. His impeccable work
speaks for itself.
9:45A.M. I make a call to some wiseguy contractors who’ve been
trying to cheat me. This can be a crummy business because of the scum of