[1] Mendik was born to a Jewish family in Glasgow, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States as a child.
In 1982, he joined the Real Estate Board of New York and in 1992, he served as its chairman[1] until his death.
[2] The combination of the Mendik Company's seven midtown office buildings with 4 million square feet transformed Vornado, then primarily a holder of suburban malls, into a major player in New York City's office market.
[6] Mendik taught at New York University from 1960 to 1987[1] and received the Fiorello La Guardia Award for civic achievement presented by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
[1] He served as chairman of the Grand Central Partnership, as a trustee of the Citizens Budget Committee, as vice chairman of the Fifth Avenue Association, and on the board of regents of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.