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Real-Estate Pioneer Crow Dead at 94

Turned single Dallas warehouse into international empire

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 5:41 PM CST

(Newser) – Visionary real-estate developer Trammell Crow, who pioneered strategies that helped him become one of the world’s largest landlords, has died, the Dallas Morning News reports. He was 94 and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Crow, who helped popularize the concept of building on spec—erecting structures before they were leased—often said, “You can get rich selling real estate, but you can only get wealthy by owning it.”

Crow built his first warehouse in Dallas in 1948 and went on to become head of an eponymous international company credited with transforming the skyline of numerous cities. He was known as a risk-taker and a mentor to countless up-and-comers. “He was always driven by the next deal,” said his daughter. “He also wants to make sure that the other guy succeeds.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

Trammell Crow. (Trammell Crow Company)

Trammell Crow (Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art)

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He started out small and became worldwide in his scope, but he never lost that generous touch. - Fort Worth banker Wade Nowlin

He would do things no one would do and get away with them 90 percent of the time. - Mack Pogue, former business partner

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Real-Estate Pioneer Crow Dead at 94