Our agency was founded in 1962 by Sheldon Gross. For decades, he was the wise, steady force behind our company, and he remained actively involved in management until 2018, when he turned 90.
Born in Newark, NJ in 1928, Sheldon was raised in South Orange, NJ. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he began his career working for his father’s transportation company, which operated railroads, bus lines, and a trolley.
For a short while, Sheldon owned Scientific Wood Cabinet Co., which he decided to sell in the late 1950s. The building that housed the business was part of the deal, and it was during the sale that Sheldon began to envision tremendous opportunities in the commercial real estate sector. In essence, that’s how Sheldon Gross Realty began.
Always based in Essex County, the company conducted business throughout the state Sheldon loved so much and knew so well. From office buildings and warehouses to industrial structures and multi-family dwellings, the agency was a leading player. And through the years, Sheldon became a true icon of New Jersey’s commercial real estate sector. In addition to running a thriving business, he served for a time as president of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) New Jersey, eventually earning that organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
In November of 2022, Sheldon passed away at the age of 94. While we miss him and the guidance he was always happy to share, we’re exceedingly proud to be part of his remarkable legacy. Those of us who knew and worked with him were fortunate indeed.