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Gerald D. Hines

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Gerald D. Hines
BornAugust 15, 1925
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 2020 (aged 95)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
EducationPurdue University (BA)
OccupationReal estate developer
Known forFounder and chairman of Hines
Spouses
Children
  • 2 with Schwarz
  • 2 with Fritzsche
FamilyGordon E. Hines (cousin)

Gerald Douglas Hines (August 15, 1925 – August 23, 2020)[1] was an American real estate developer based in Houston. He was the founder and chairman of Hines, a privately held real estate firm with its headquarters in that city. At the time of his death, the company had assets in 25 countries.

Early life and education

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Hines was born in Gary, Indiana,[2] on August 15, 1925,[3] to Gordon and Myrte (née McConnell) Hines.[4] His parents had moved to Gary from Nova Scotia in 1923. Hines was descended from British loyalists who fought in the Revolutionary War.[5] He graduated with a bachelor in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1948.[2][6] He was then employed by American Blower Corp, and was subsequently transferred to Houston. After working at the company for several years, he went to work for Texas Engineering.[3]

Career

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Williams Tower in Houston

Shortly after moving to Houston in 1948, Hines formed an engineering partnership and started a fledgling real estate business on the side. He established Gerald D. Hines Interests in 1957; its early projects included warehouses and small office buildings. Edgar L. Muller was his architectural engineer in the early years in an office Hines built on Richmond Avenue. His first large-scale commercial development came in 1967 when Shell Oil Company hired Hines to construct a new downtown Houston headquarters. The Galleria, Pennzoil Place, Transco Tower (now Williams Tower), and more than 900 developments would follow.[7][8] The firm proceeded to branch out into Europe after the fall of communism there in 1989. It consequently completed projects in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[3] Hines also served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 1981 to 1983.[2]

Hines was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2001 for global leadership in engineering advancements that set the standard for innovative and efficient design in the commercial building industry.

Hines subsequently passed control of the company to his son Jeffrey in 1990.[3] A 2005 report by the Lipsey Company,[9] recognized Hines as one of the largest real estate firms in the world, with operations throughout the U.S. and across the globe.[3] Many of the firm's buildings were designed by well-known architects, including I. M. Pei, Philip Johnson, Cesar Pelli, Frank Gehry, and Robert A.M. Stern.[10]

At the time of his death, the Hines portfolio of projects underway, completed, acquired, and managed for third parties includes more than 1,900 properties representing approximately 679,000,000 square feet (63,100,000 m2) of office, living/housing, mixed-use, industrial/logistics, hospitality, medical, retail, and sports facilities, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments.[11] With controlled assets valued at approximately $144.1 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world.[12][13] As of 2016, his net worth equaled US$1.3 billion.[8]

Philanthropy

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Hines donated $7 million to the University of Houston's College of Architecture, which renamed the college the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture.[2] He was one of the primary contributors in the construction of the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen, Colorado.[14]

Personal life

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In 1952, he married Dorothy Schwarz (died 2017) of the Schwarz family, founders of F.A.O. Schwarz toys;[15] they have two children: Jeff and Jennifer,[16] and divorced in 1980.[4]

In his early 50s, Hines was told by doctors that he needed heart bypass surgery.[17] Instead he became a vegetarian and followed a vigorous exercise routine. He helped to fund studies conducted by Dean Ornish.[17] In 1981, he married German-born painter Barbara Fritzsche,[16][18] who had grown up in Australia, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Together they had two children: Serena and Trevor.[19][20]

Hines died on August 23, 2020, at his home in Connecticut.[3] He had celebrated his 95th birthday just over a week before his death.[10]

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fox, Stephen (June 15, 2010). "Pennzoil Place". tshaonline.org. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Houston History: "Who's Who - Gerald D. Hines" retrieved April 15, 2015
  3. ^ a b c d e f Sarnoff, Nancy (August 24, 2020). "Gerald D. Hines, developer who shaped Houston's skyline, dies at 95". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Goldberger, Paul (August 29, 2020). "Gerald D. Hines, 95, Who Transformed Skylines Around the World, Is Dead". New York Times. Vol. 169, no. 58800. p. A25. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Digital Houston Library: "Interview with Gerald Hines" Interviewed by Paul Hobby December 13, 2007
  6. ^ "Alumni Award Nominations : Honors : Awards & Service". Engineering Alumni Association - Purdue University. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  7. ^ "Hines is a towering influence on Houston landmarks [Archive] – SkyscraperPage Forum". forum.skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Gerald D. Hines". BisNow. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  9. ^ "2005 Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brands" (PDF). The Lipsey Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 7, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  10. ^ a b Delony, Doug (August 24, 2020). "Real estate legend Gerald D. Hines, known for Galleria, Waterwall and Houston's skyline, has died at 95". KHOU. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "Aspen to Welcome Mega Jewish Center". Chabad of Dallas. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Heath, Thomas (November 29, 2013). "An interview with Mortimer Zuckerman: How he succeeds in real estate". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 24, 2020. Gerald D. Hines is the founder and chairman of Hines, one of the largest real estate firms in the world.
  13. ^ Roberts, Rob (December 23, 2013). "Hines confirms its purchase of huge Lenexa portfolio". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Chabad of Dallas: "Aspen to Welcome Mega Jewish Center - Community will mark the opening of a new synagogue, mikvah and community center" By Carin M. Smilk July 29, 2014
  15. ^ D magazine: "Anatomy of a Super Mall - The Galleria: A grand cathedral in the church of conspicuous consumption" By George Rodrigue November 1981
  16. ^ a b Houston Chronicle: "Hines a towering influence on Houston landmarks - Hines is a towering influence on Houston landmarks From the Galleria to downtown skyscrapers, developer Gerald Hines reflects on triumphs" By Nancy Sarnoff June 10, 2007
  17. ^ a b "Gerald D. Hines, real estate developer and patron of architects, dies at 95". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  18. ^ Pudwill, Elizabeth (October 23, 2014). "Reception for Artist Barbara Hines, Glitters, at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas". Houston Chronicle.
  19. ^ Jewish Herald Voice: "Hines’ awarded ‘Guardian of the Human Spirit’ - Barbara and Gerald D. Hines were honored at HMH’s annual luncheon" by Michael C. Duke November 12, 2009
  20. ^ Houston Culture Map Magazine: "Houston artist takes on Dallas and draws an international crowd to a new national center" by Shelby Hodge October 16, 2014
  21. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  22. ^ "ULI/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition".
  23. ^ "Honor Award". National Building Museum. December 16, 2016.
  24. ^ "2004 Lynn S. Beedle Award Winner". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  25. ^ "Gerald D. Hines gets a Harvard Design School award" (Press release). April 24, 2008.
  26. ^ "Guardian of the Human Spirit Award". Holocaust Museum Houston.
  27. ^ Cowen, By Diane. "A look at the legacy of the man who built Houston's skyline". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
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