Realty’s Yousef Tishbi dies

The founder of developer Realty Estates has died at the age of 72 after a two-year illness. 

Tishbi arrived in England from Iran in 1979 amid the Iranian Revolution and founded Realty Estates six years later. The company amassed a large portfolio of industrial assets in and around Manchester in the 1990s.

Realty Estates’ head of development Shahram Sakhdari described Tishbi as a “fearless, talented, and tireless businessman”. 

He added: “He was extremely ambitious, always challenging the status quo and constantly thinking out of the box.

“His journey in life and business was an incredible one. He was a source of admiration for many Iranians and the story of his life has inspired many people.” 

During his career, Tishbi was involved in several high-profile land sales including the disposal of the former Boddington’s Brewery site in Strangeways to Manchester College in 2019 and, the sale of the former BBC site on Oxford Road to Bruntwood in 2015 – which is currently being redeveloped into the £750m Circle Square mixed-use scheme. 

More recently, Realty Estates offloaded a development site on Rochdale Road in Manchester to developer Premcor, which plans to create a 229-bedroom hotel.  

Yonni Abramson, Tishbi’s son-in-law, described Tishbi as a “dynamic, powerful influence in the property industry”. 

“He always thought about things in a different way. He believed you could put a square peg in a round hole. He did things in a disruptive way, but with a twinkle in his eye. People loved doing business with him,” Abramson added. 

Tishbi is survived by his wife Jaleh, his three daughters Angela, Natasha and Claudia, and five grandchildren. 

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I worked for Yousef for 5 years and learned much about commercial property from him.
Yousef was to say the least charismatic, I owe him much, as his education changed my life. RIP YT I miss you, Namet an Hushank Realty’s three Iranian Musketeers.

By Gordon Tickle

That’s an absolute shame he was an absolute gent our paths crossed many times during the 90s and early millenia.

By Tom

Really sorry to hear this. His reputation was that he was a hard-nosed businessman, and he was, but also charming and fair in all my dealings with him. Will be missed.

By Derek

Condolences to all the family & friends. I met Yousef quite a few times, especially when I first came down to Manchester 20yrs ago. He gave me some interesting instructions, that I tell my students about when I lecture. Fond thoughts to all the family.

By Damian Masters

Clever,charming,and always very kind and genorous to me.
A great loss to family, friends,and the Manchester property community.

By MICHAEL MARSDEN

Yousef was without doubt at the top of his profession , always great company, totally reliable , impossible and at the same time I enjoyed all our many discussions , very sad day , much admired and respected

By David Russell

A gentleman trader who was always willing to listen to outlandish ideas from outriders like me. I spent a memorable day with him at the Philips cathode ray tube factory near Padiham. Liquid Crystal Displays had rendered it obsolete.

By Brian Gowthorpe

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