De Niro partners make billions with boutique New York hotels

Los Angeles

IRA Drukier and Richard Born were bored back then. Facing an early midlife crisis three decades ago, they decided to ditch their careers in engineering and medicine, and follow their fathers into the real estate business.

The move paid off. The Queens-raised partners have become billionaires by transforming their families' modest real estate assets into a lodging empire that includes some of New York's most stylish accommodations. With 24 properties including the Bowery and the Ludlow, they're the biggest owners of boutique hotels in the city. They also control 12 residential and commercial buildings.