Jack A. Belz
Belz Enterprises, Chairman/CEO
|  | "Downtown Memphis sure has come a long way." It's a phrase that's often heard these days, and it's one for which in large part Memphis can thank the vision of Jack Belz. It goes back to 1948, to the wedding of Jack and Marilyn Belz in the beautiful Peabody Hotel. The hotel was, of course, special to Mr. Belz, and for that reason he and his family purchased it in 1975 rescuing it from dilapidation. He re-opened it in 1981, at the same time revealing his dream for revitalizing downtown Memphis.
Mr. Belz has carried through in realizing this dream, contributing to revitalization projects all over Memphis in the past years. His efforts culminate in the development of the Peabody Place project. Planned to eventually cover an eight-block area, this project currently includes the Peabody Hotel, various residential, office and business buildings, and the newly opened Peabody Place shopping center, which featured a 22-screen movie complex and numerous retail, restaurant and entertainment venues.
Mr. Belz has also given much to Memphis in other ways. His civic involvements are quite numerous, as are his arts contributions. In 1999, he and his wife Marilyn opened up their exquisite Chinese art collection to the Memphis community, keeping it on permanent display at the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art and has since expanded it with many other art catagories.Description of Business:
A multifaceted organization primarily involved with the development and operation of shopping centers, hotels, industrial parks, corporate office parks, factory outlet malls, apartment buildings, and residential, commercial and mixed-use land development. A special focus is on historic preservation, including such projects as The Peabody and Peabody Place in Memphis. In addition, Belz has been involved in multi-location river public port operation and various other businesses. Year Business Founded:
1940 Year Inducted:
1992 Thoughts on Entrepreneurship: "'Entrepreneurship is the very essence of America and Western free enterprise society." For More Information: http://www.belz.com
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