Despite his more than nine decades on this earth, it seemed like Harold Brown was never going to retire. 

Since he bought his first Boston property in 1954, Brown has created one of the largest privately held real estate companies in New England, with 5,600 units of multifamily housing and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space. 

Brown’s legacy is one of endurance. Interviewed many times over the years in the pages of this newspaper, on one occasion in 2013 he shared his top five real estate business lessons; the fifth was “Live long enough and you’ll be successful.” 

He was part of one of the largest bankruptcies in the state’s history in the early 1990s; years later, in the midst of the toughest economic climate in recent memory, Brown bought a luxury apartment complex in Brookline for $129 million. It was one of the largest transactions in the country at the time. Since then the company has continued to expand, particularly in Allston, where it acquired the home of neighborhood icon the Sunset Grill, and launched a phased development at Packard’s Crossing. 

Brown’s famously no-nonsense approach may have rankled some, but his dedication to underserved communities has earned him accolades. 

Brown’s legacy is also one of community service and support. The company owns and manages thousands of units of workforce and moderate-income housing, providing safe and affordable places for working families, students and neighborhood businesses. Most rents fall in the sweet spot between subsidized and luxury, a section of the market starved for inventory, and the company is committed to preserving those rents. 

At last year’s groundbreaking for the second phase of Packard’s Crossing, Brown said the goal “is to create a ‘New Boston,’ a more affordable place where individuals, families and businesses can live, work, study and thrive.” 

He also founded The Hamilton Co. Foundation in 2011, now run by his brother, Ronald Brown, which gives out roughly $1 million each year to local nonprofits. 

And then there’s the (possibly apocryphal) story that makes the rounds at buildings owned by The Hamilton Co. It’s said that at one time no pets were allowed in any of the company’s buildings. Then one night a woman’s illegal cat woke her up when the building was on fire, saving lives and an expensive investment; from then on, cats were welcome. (A Hamilton Co. spokesperson was unable to confirm or deny the veracity of this story by press time.) 

Harold Brown’s investment in and commitment to the city in which he was born is a testament to his character and his determination. He is a shrewd businessman, a savvy investor and – in a city where it’s sadly still rare – a good landlord. 

After weathering about five real estate cycles, Brown departs in what may well be Boston’s golden era. And although it seemed he never would retire, after a lifetime in the Boston housing and development industry, he deserves to go out on top.