Overview

Ramon L. Posel is not only an intensely successful real estate entrepreneur but also an art-cinema proponent.

He moved into the real estate business in 1964, once he grew tired of dealing with clients' real estate developments.

Education

Ramon L. Posel went to Philadelphia's Central High School and thereafter, he went to Swarthmore College, from where he majored in English and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950.

He earned his Master’s degree from Columbia University, the next year and finally he went to Harvard Law School where he earned another degree.

While at Harvard, Posel’s love for movies came to the forefront, after he watched Vittorio De Sica's The Bicycle Thief. The movie completely changed his views on the importance of movies.

Business/career

After the stint in Harvard, Ramon L. Posel returned to Philadelphia and joined the real estate division of a firm. His first movie theatre was built by Posel on Philadelphia's Bustleton Avenue. He called his property Leo, after his father.

Among his other real estate developments, Posel built the Sheraton-Olde Post Inn in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This interesting bit of property featured an after-hours Hollywood lounge styled jazz club.

The popular Ritz Three theatre was opened by Posel in 1976. The concept of the theatre was revolutionary and perhaps it is because of this that the theater took seven years to make a profit. On the back of each of the ticket of the theatre, it said that the theatre tries to select features for those who “want to see something (meaningful).” The Ritz Three became Ritz Five in 1985.