His parents were Orthodox Jews from a small town in Hungary, but his father had risen to prominence in Vienna as a successful merchant.

It also accepted difficult projects, including the construction of First Canadian Place, Canada's tallest building, built in 1975.

It was due in part to a general decline in the world economy, but the company was truly brought low by the Canary Wharf project.

He had been impressed by Margaret Thatcher's reforms and obtained a personal promise from her that she would help the project, most importantly by extending the London Underground to reach it.

The family took offence at allegations that Samuel Reichmann had aided the Nazis with illegal smuggling operations during the Second World War.

Along with investors such as Al-Waleed bin Talal, a consortium paid $1.2 billion for a controlling stake in Canary Wharf, from a third party in charge of the property's administration.

[9] During 2004, a takeover battle began for the Canary Wharf Group in which Reichmann eventually sided with Canadian developer Brascan to attempt a purchase of the company.

[citation needed] Reichmann, at the time 75, announced that he intended to retire from business and sold many of his property holdings.

[citation needed] In September 2006, Reichmann announced that he was bored with retirement and that he would be setting up a new $4 billion fund, based in Toronto, with offices in Great Britain and the Netherlands.

[2][10][11] His funeral took place Saturday night, 26 October 2013, at the Bais Yaakov Elementary School (15 Saranac Boulevard), in Toronto.