Background
His father had immigrated from China and had settled in Vancouver, where he opened his own restaurant. In his early teenage years, Lee became interested in the real estate business and often shared this interest with his father.
Businessman founder philanthropist
His father had immigrated from China and had settled in Vancouver, where he opened his own restaurant. In his early teenage years, Lee became interested in the real estate business and often shared this interest with his father.
Lee later enrolled at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia where he studied business and graduated in 1956.
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was raised in Vancouver"s Chinatown section. He also enrolled in Chinese school for 12 years.
With his ever growing interest in the real estate industry, he aspired to become an entrepreneur.
Lee"s breakthrough into real estate soon came in the 1960s, when Communist China was going to try to take over the British colony of Hong Kong. A mass exodus of Hong Kong Chinese immigrants made their way to Vancouver and many of these newcomers advised to visit Lee because he could speak their language.
During this time, he expanded his business into apartments and founded Prospero in 1979, which has a diverse portfolio of real estate ranging from retail, office, and industrial properties. An ardent philanthropist, Lee donated much money to a myriad of causes in Vancouver"s Chinatown, including the Chinese School that he graduated from as well as to the University of British Columbia, where the Lee Graduate School was named in his honor.
He also sent money to his ancestral home village in China.
The Robert Lee Young Men’s Christian Association (Downtown Vancouver) is named after him in recognition of his leadership donation towards the new facility. A member for 45 years, Mr. Lee made the Young Men’s Christian Association a part of his daily life.
In addition, Lee is a recipient of many awards.
Lee received the Order of British Columbia and was named Businessman of the year of 1990, selected by a panel of Chinese-Canadian businessmen and the Vancouver Board of Trade. He is also a trustee of the Bank of British Columbia, a directorship of the Real Estate Institute of Canada, Vancouver Foundation, British Columbia Paraplegic Foundation and of the Portuguese Authority of Vancouver.
He also is a member of Young Men’s Christian Association Vancouver and serves as a director of Crown Life Insurance, Canadian National Railway and Wall Financial Corporation. In addition, Lee has been a Governor and Chancellor of University of British Columbia and was responsible for generating $400 million for the school"s endowment as a founding member of the University of British Columbia Properties Fund.