Gerald D. Hines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerald D. Hines is a Houston, Texas-based real estate developer and founder of Hines Interests that has developed over 205 million square feet in more than 650 properties worldwide, including stunning skyscrapers, premier corporate headquarters, mixed-use centers, industrial parks, and master-planned resort and residential communities throughout the United States and in 11 other countries including: the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, and China.
Hines was born in Gary, Indiana, and grew up during the Depression. Hines graduated from Purdue University in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later received an honorary doctorate from Purdue.
Hines has worked with notable architects as Philip Johnson, John Burgee, Cesar Pelli, and I.M. Pei.
Founded in 1957 by Gerald D. Hines, the Hines Interests realty firm left a major mark on the skyline of Houston. The 75-story Chase Tower, the Transco Tower in the Galleria area, and the black trapezoid Pennzoil Towers were built by the company. Hines also developed the First Colony, a master-planned community in Fort Bend County.
The Urban Land Institute bestowed their Award for Excellence to Hines' famed Houston Galleria, designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum; and to Norwest Center in Minneapolis, which was designed by Cesar Pelli. Williams Tower, a Hines project in Houston also designed by Johnson/Burgee, was named Skyscraper of the Century in the December 1999 issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
In March 1997, Hines gave $7 million to the University of Houston’s College of Architecture. The school responded by renaming the college for him. The gift was the largest ever received by the architecture school and among the 10 largest gifts received by the university.
