A. Alfred Taubman (1924–2015) was an influential American real estate developer and philanthropist, best known for revolutionizing retail by creating the modern indoor shopping mall. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, to Jewish immigrant parents, Taubman attended the University of Michigan and later Lawrence Technological University. In the 1950s, he founded the Taubman Company, which developed several landmark shopping malls, transforming suburban retail culture in the U.S.
Taubman expanded his influence by purchasing the auction house Sotheby’s in the 1980s, although his ownership led to a legal battle when he was convicted of price-fixing with Christie’s, resulting in a brief prison sentence. Despite this, he remained a prominent figure in business.
1. “There is more similarity in the marketing challenge of selling a precious painting by Degas and a frosted mug of root beer than you ever thought possible.”
— A. Alfred Taubman
2. “Become an expert in one fundamental area of your market or business, no one starts out as a generalist.”
— A. Alfred Taubman
3. “God help us if we ever take the theater out of the auction business or anything else. It would be an awfully boring world.”
— A. Alfred Taubman
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