Steven Levin, a Manhattan commercial real estate developer turned surfer, died at home in Montauk’s Hither Hills on Aug. 20. The cause was complications from Parkinson’s disease, with which he had been afflicted for many years. Mr. Levin was 78.
With Bruce Sinder, his business partner, Mr. Levin founded the commercial real estate agency SinVin Realty, a pioneer in the development of the SoHo and TriBeCa neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan. The partners, Mr. Levin’s family said, did landmark deals, including bringing Dean & Deluca, the restaurant Balthazar, and many notable retailers to the area.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Levin and Mr. Sinder bought empty commercial buildings, converting them to artists’ lofts. Mr. Levin’s daughter, Danielle Roberts, remembered the excitement of roller skating with her father through the vast, open spaces.
Mr. Levin was also a longtime volunteer at Covenant House, which provides shelter, food, immediate care, and other services to homeless and runaway youth. He enjoyed working with teenagers, his family said, and loved to make them laugh.
Steven Levin was born in Newton, Mass., on March 10, 1942, to Maxwell Levin and the former Sophie Osipow. He grew up there before moving to Manhattan, where he and Arlene Levin, his wife of 46 years, settled in SoHo, which at the time was characterized by vacant buildings and a scarcity of residents. Ms. Levin survives.
A surfer from the age of 15, Mr. Levin and his wife traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. When not riding a wave, he would connect with local residents. A self-taught magician, he packed his tricks and visited hospitals to entertain children and other patients.
His passion for surfing ultimately led Mr. and Ms. Levin to Montauk, where they settled in Hither Hills in 1985.
In 2000, as his disability worsened, the couple became year-round residents of Montauk. Surfing had become difficult, but on the shore he began to see artistic promise in the ever-renewing supply of driftwood. He created exotic walking sticks, intricate wall hangings, and remarkably anthropoid forms, his family said.
During this time, his granddaughters recalled how “Papa” inspired them with his musical jams in the basement and his eccentric art endeavors. On weekly trips to the Montauk transfer station, he retrieved discarded bicycles, restored them to working order, and gave them to immigrants from Latin America.
Mr. Levin had a big and colorful personality, his family said, and was known for his humor, his love of life, and his love of the ocean.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Levin is survived by three granddaughters as well as his brother, Dan Levin, and brother-in-law, Bill Voorhest. Another daughter, Jennifer Levin, died before him. Mr. Levin’s family wished to express their deepest gratitude to East End Hospice.
The family has suggested memorial contributions to A Walk on Water, which provides surf therapy to children with disabilities or special needs, at awalkonwater.org/donate.
