Nathan Landow

Nathan Landow, visionary real estate developer, died on December 30, 2025, at his home in Potomac, MD. He was 93.

Born in Orange, NJ, Nathan Landow relocated to Washington, D.C. at age eleven when his father, Edward J. Landow, a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, was transferred there from New Jersey, in 1944. The elder Landow served as Chief Administrator at Walter Reed Hospital until he was deployed overseas during World War II. During the war, Nathan, an industrious only child, gathered discarded metal for military production in support of the “Salvage for Victory” campaign and sold game-day programs at Washington Senators and Washington Redskins games, both played at Griffith Stadium. He would later become a lifelong season ticket holder of both teams.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the Landow family took up residence in the Lucerne apartments on U Street NW. Nathan enrolled at Brightwood Elementary School where he developed friendships that endured for the rest of his life. His education continued at Paul Junior High School and Woodward High School. As a member of Woodward’s Class of 1950, “Nate” achieved athletic notoriety, becoming known for his aggressive style and skill on the varsity basketball team. A dependable power hitter on the school’s baseball team, windshields in the faculty parking lot routinely fell victim to Nathan’s “friendly fire.” He was popular and well-liked for his determination and oversized exuberant personality, earning him the honor upon graduation of “Most Mischievous.” During the summer following graduation, Nathan was enjoyably employed as a lifeguard at the newly constructed Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, MD. Nathan’s larger-than-life personality initially did little to interest Barbara Siegel, an accomplished and attractive student at nearby Coolidge High School. However, his signature determination ultimately led to marriage with Miss Siegel in 1953, and a sales job at Leeds Liquor, a successful liquor store on Van Ness Street owned by Barbara’s father, Jack Siegel.

On June 23, 1953, Nathan enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps. While serving three years of active duty, he was assigned to the 37th Armored Infantry Battalion, then as an Intelligence Specialist, and subsequently as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

With a budding interest in building construction, Nathan enrolled at the Benjamin Franklin School of Accountancy and in a blueprint reading correspondence course. At age 26, he launched what would become an extraordinary 67-year career of developing commercial real estate throughout the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. He completed 17 large-scale apartment buildings, four office projects, the Democratic National Committee Headquarters on Capitol Hill, and a corporate aviation facility at Washington Dulles International Airport. Various pro bono development projects included the Landow House assisted living residence at the Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville, MD.

During the early years of Nathan’s real estate work, he partnered with developer Lawrence N. Brandt. In 1964, they completed the 268-unit Prospect House, one of the most iconic apartment buildings constructed in the region. The building’s innovative split-level apartments featured unsurpassed panoramic views overlooking the Iwo Jima memorial and the National Mall, views which remain unmatched to this day. Nathan completed the 285-unit Colonnade in 1967, tenaciously overcoming difficult topographic obstacles and financial challenges. The building set new design standards for ultra luxury apartment living in Washington’s prestigious Cathedral Heights neighborhood.

During the late 1960s, Nathan astutely recognized the commercial potential of downtown Bethesda, boldly envisioning an eventual total transformation of Bethesda Avenue, which at the time, consisted of a concrete plant, an icehouse, and various other industrial uses. In 1969, Nathan completed The Seasons, a 15-story, 247-unit apartment, office, and retail complex, Bethesda Avenue’s first large-scale development project. In 1974, he completed The Promenade in Bethesda’s Pooks Hill neighborhood. With 1,072 apartments in two 18-story towers, The Promenade, when completed, had the largest number of apartment units ever constructed in a single project in Montgomery County, MD.

When operations began in 2006 at Nathan’s massive new 20-acre corporate aviation complex known as Dulles Jet Center, located at Dulles International Airport, the project set unrivaled standards for such facilities.

While Nathan was well known for developing real estate projects, he became active in national democratic politics in the early 1970s as a fund-raiser. He was also elected Chairman of the Maryland State Democratic Party. He was appointed to the position of U.S. Alternate Representative to the 35th United Nations General Assembly by President Jimmy Carter. While Nathan consistently contributed to numerous philanthropic causes, his most significant support was directed toward the Charles E. Smith Life Communities, where he is a founding benefactor, and to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Nathan Landow Atrium, a natural light-filled architectural marvel at the Rochester campus, memorializes his commitment to Mayo Clinic.

Nathan Landow is survived by his three children, Harolyn L. Cardozo (Michael), David M. Landow (Susan), and Michael B. Landow (Dana); grandchildren Eden Cardozo Levy (Benjamin), Julia L. Cardozo, Michael H. Cardozo, VI (Avery), Alyssa J. Landow, and Edward J. Landow; great-grandchildren Jack C. Levy, Gabriel H. Levy, and Emmeline A. Levy. Nathan was predeceased in death by his parents, Edward and Adele Landow.

Services will be held on Sunday, January 4, at 12:30 p.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb Street NW). Shiva will be observed at the home of Harolyn and Michael Cardozo on Sunday, January 4 at 7 p.m. and on Monday, January 5 at 7 p.m.

In remembrance of Nathan Landow, memorial donations may be made to Landow House, c/o Charles E. Smith Life Communities, 6121 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852, or online at www.smithlifecommunities.org/giving.