Walter Shorenstein, the man who built a commercial real estate empire that started in San Francisco, has closed his final deal. He was 95.

According to Andrew Neilly, a spokesman for The Shorenstein Company, Shorenstein died of natural causes at his San Francisco home.

Among those who offered condolences for the family of the former presidential adviser was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In a statement, she said that Shorenstein and his late wife Phyllis engaged in philanthropy and civic activism to build a “better San Francisco and a better America.” “Their gifts to the Bay Area and the nation’s academic and cultural institutions have been legendary,” Pelosi added. Shorenstein has served as adviser to former Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton in several capacities.

In the field of real estate, Shorenstein is better known as the man who owns the company that controlled over 30 million square feet of commercial real estate. He bought the real estate firm he worked for 14 years in 1960. The company, which now bears his name, became the biggest commercial landlord in San Francisco. At various times, the company owned the Washington Harbour complex in the D.C., the John Hancock Center in Chicago, and Bank of America skyscraper in San Francisco.

To many San Franciscans, he is remembered for changing its skyline with skyscrapers. In 1993, he also helped prevent MLB team San Francisco Giants from leaving for Florida.

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