Dallas real estate entrepreneur Trammell Crow died on Wednesday

Erin Rice, says:

Shortly after posting the story above, an official release containing additional information about Crow and his family was sent to us. I've copied below:

Trammell Crow, the Dallas-based commercial real estate developer and the founder of the Trammell Crow Company died yesterday January 14, 2009 at approx. 10:30 p.m. at the family farm in East Texas. He was 94.

Beginning with a single warehouse in Dallas in 1948, Trammell Crow went on to build one of the largest and most successful commercial real estate companies in the United States. His property developments helped reshape the skylines of Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco and dozens of other U.S. cities that came of age in the post-World War II building boom. Along the way, he pioneered the use of the atrium, a concept used in many of today’s most prominent office structures and hotels, and, through his unique use of real estate partnerships, helped make more of his partners wealthier than anyone else in the history of American real estate.

More than just a dynamic businessman, Trammell Crow was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a friend and confidant of U.S. presidents from Richard Nixon to George Bush, and a renowned world traveler. Indeed, Mr. Crow and his wife, Margaret, shared a lifelong passion for collecting fine art – particularly Asian art – during their many trips abroad.

Mrs. Crow said that Chinese art always fascinated her husband, especially jade. “I cannot say why it is,” Mr. Crow once said, pointing to his heart, “but these objects move me.”

Desiring for everyone to share this love for Asian art, in 1998, the Crows created an Asian art museum in the Dallas Arts District, The Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, to hold the best pieces from the family’s collection and serve as a legacy for their children and grandchildren.

“Trammell Crow left an indelible footprint on the Dallas Arts District,” said Amy Hofland, Director of The Crow Collection. “His love of the East and its art flowed from his core, and we are so honored that he gave the community a chance to share in and experience that.”

From his distinguished business career to his loving family to his untiring dedication to civic and charitable causes, Mr. Crow’s remarkable life stands as a testament to hard work, visionary leadership and the unlimited potential of the American entrepreneurial spirit.

“The world will remember Mr. Crow as a legendary real estate developer and businessman because of his unparalleled vision and passion for success. But to those who were fortunate to know him personally, we will remember his humor and upbeat personality along with his uncompromising honesty, integrity and character. Whatever we were yesterday as individuals, we are slightly less today because of the passing of this great man,” said Jim Carreker, a former CEO of Trammell Crow Company and Wyndham Hotels and a long time family friend.

Mr. Crow is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret, their six children, Robert Crow, Howard Crow, Harlan Crow, Trammell S. Crow, Lucy Billingsley, Stuart Crow, 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

alexander troup, says:

This man and his family from the late 1940's made a great impact on the Dallas area, especially where the Stemmons Freeway area is today and now what is considered the Crow Industrial Arts and Fashion District, and his passing will be realize as with Raymond Nasher, Stanley Marcus and Mary Kay...

These are the men and women who made Dallas what it is today,and it is a sad loss while a great impact has been realize in the developement of the Modern Dallas of the 20th Century and for over 6 decades, Trammell Crow will be missed by all, until then..A/T, Industiral Leader's observer.

John Pillow, says:

If you look in Wikipedia for the definition of a Gentelman, you would see a picture of Trammell Crow.

When I ran for Dallas County Clerk in 1976, Mr. Crow called and asked me to come to his office. When there he asked did I have enough contacts to get contributions to my campaign. And of course I said "No, Sir". He then called six or seven Dallas leaders, including J. Erik Jonsson to donate to my campaign. Mr. Crow then wrote me a very generous contribution.

He was a Dallas Leader!!

Dallas will miss him, and I definitely will.

alexander troup, says:

My folks got into the art business through their various events and concepts in the late 50's over on Stemmons Freeway...when they built their fisrt major center..and over the years, the Crow Family would help create the skyline of Dallas, by far this is a very sad and yet important time to realize the great merit's of this family's developement in Dallas...A/T..Crow observer.

Russ Vandeveerdonk, says:

Great man, lived close to my home out here, East Texas, Tawakoni. His daughter Lucy Crow Billingsley,... REALLY carries the family nowadays. She does and that is my opinion. Sad for the loss. He was cool and friendly.

Erin Rice, says:

"A public service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/places/highland-park-united-methodist-church/">Highland Park United Methodist Church</a>, located at 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205. If interested in doing a memorial, persons may consider The Margaret and Trammell Crow Chair for Alzheimer's and Geriatric Research at Southwestern Medical Foundation, 2305 Cedar Springs Road, #150, Dallas, Texas 75201."

Anne Young Fritsche, says:

I worked for Trammell Crow Company twice and both experiences was marvelous. I never knew until my first TCC experience how positive a work environment could be. I felt as though I was working with family, and when I was laid off, I truly felt grief. That kind of company culture has become rare, but I am forever grateful that I got to know it twice with TCC... and again with my current job.

At TCC, the integrity and kindness came from the top and will be with me always.

Thank you, Mr. Crow.