Share This
Who I Am
My name is David Lubell. My passions for prewar architecture and design, coupled with my love of history find expression on this site, and through my work in the residential real estate industry of New York.
I have bought and sold numerous NYC prewar apartments, as well as 1920’s homes in the nearby suburbs, and renovated them as a labor of love, and with an eye towards maintaining their innate character (see My Stuff > My Projects).
My passion for buildings presented itself when I was very young — I started drawing buildings and floorplans at age 5 and this is still something I do today (see My Stuff > My Drawings). I’m a self-taught architect, drafts-person, and interior designer. I’ve consulted on numerous renovation and interior design projects over the past two decades.
Before joining Prudential Douglas Elliman in 2011, I spent years working in finance in various capacities. My last position was as a Partner in a privately held institutional asset management firm where I was responsible for sales and client service. I am grateful for the learning opportunities my career has provided, and to the people who helped me along the way. My financial services background has proven to be valuable in the real estate world and something my clients appreciate.
I was born and raised in the New York City suburbs and I have lived on Manhattan Island most of my adult life. I attended Tufts University, and majored in Economics, receiving my BA in 1988. I, also, attended Columbia Business School, receiving an MBA degree in Finance and Marketing in 1993.
As significant as my studies in economics were while at Tufts, my other academic pursuits were equally important. These included studying architectural history with Professor Margaret Floyd, French literature with Professor Seymour Simches, and Greek Drama with Professor Peter Arnott. These academic endeavors have had a profound effect on me and I am grateful to those professors, all now gone, who helped me on my journey.
Hello! My name is David Lubell. This is my personal blog, a forum for me to talk about my passion for prewar buildings in NYC and related subjects. If any views are expressed here, they are mine, unless clearly presented as coming from someone else. You can read a little bit more 
Hi David,
I recently stumbled upon your site reading about the Paterno Brothers and Anthony Campagna, who is a distant relative of mine. Do you by any chance have any suggestions as to where I could read more about them? Very interesting stuff!
Thanks,
Elaine Campagna
Hi Elaine:
Thanks for enjoying Prewar Passion!
Nice to hear from a relative of one of the most important families in the history of NYC apartments.
The architects seem to get all the credit, but I think the builders deserve just as much. They really controlled the project, and the feel of the construction. Without your family, there would be no Candela.
To address your question – I have two suggestions: NYC Public Library records on-line. Also, Columbia University has the largest architectural library in the country, if not the world. There just might be some interesting stuff there. But you would need to go in-person, and get a research librarian to help. The Library is not open to the public, but you might be able to get special permission.
Good luck!
Best,
David
Mr. Lubell,
The dream of the most discerning man or woman is to own a Candela apartment: an expression of pure elegance, a symphony that surounds confined space.
I share fully in your passion for this architecture.
Congratulations on your impeccable taste,
Thomas