Harlan Crow is an American real estate developer from Dallas, Texas. He is the chairman of Crow Holdings, a private investment firm that was founded by his father, Trammell Crow. Harlan Crow is known for his significant contributions to Republican and conservative causes.
Born in 1949, Harlan Crow has deep roots in Dallas. His father, Trammell Crow, was a legendary real estate developer in the city, and Harlan has followed in his footsteps. Today, Crow Holdings is one of the most successful private investment firms in North Texas, and Harlan Crow has become one of the most influential figures in the region.
Harlan Crow is also known for his close relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Crow has been a significant donor to Thomas’s campaigns and has given him gifts that have raised questions about conflicts of interest. Despite this controversy, Harlan Crow remains a prominent figure in Dallas and a powerful force in Republican politics.
Early Life and Education
Harlan Crow was born in Dallas, Texas in 1949, the third son of Margaret Doggett Crow and real estate developer Trammell Crow. His father founded Trammell Crow Company, which later became one of the largest real estate development companies in the United States.
Unlike his siblings, Harlan attended high school at the Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Harlan pursued a law degree at Southern Methodist University, but ultimately decided not to practice law. Instead, he joined his family’s real estate business, where he eventually became the Chairman and CEO of Crow Holdings.
Harlan’s education and early experiences in the real estate industry laid the foundation for his successful career as a real estate developer and investor.
Career
Harlan Crow has had a successful career in real estate, philanthropy, and politics.
Real Estate
Crow began his career in real estate by working as a leasing agent for Trammell Crow Houston Industrial from 1974 to 1978. He then managed the Dallas Office Building development operations of Trammell Crow Company from 1978 to 1986. In 1988, he assumed responsibility for Crow Holdings, a real estate investment firm that manages the assets of the Trammell Crow family and other investors. Under his leadership, Crow Holdings has grown to become one of the largest real estate investment firms in the United States.
Philanthropy
Crow is also known for his philanthropic work. He has donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations and causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. One of his most notable donations was a $20 million gift to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which was used to establish the Crow Center for Asian Art at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Politics
Crow is a longtime Republican and has been a major donor to conservative political causes and candidates. He helped found the influential anti-tax conservative group, Club for Growth, and currently serves on the board of directors of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Crow is also known for his friendship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and has been criticized for giving Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas, expensive gifts and funding luxury trips for them.
Net Worth
Harlan Crow is a billionaire businessman and real estate developer. While his exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, his company, Crow Holdings, had $19.6 billion in assets under management in 2020. The company invests in a variety of assets, including real estate, securities, and other businesses.
Crow’s wealth comes from his successful career in real estate development and management. He inherited his father’s company, Trammell Crow Company, and later founded Crow Holdings. The company has grown significantly under his leadership, with almost $29 billion in assets under management.
In addition to his business ventures, Crow is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. He has also been involved in political fundraising and has supported conservative causes and candidates.
Despite his wealth, Crow has faced criticism for his lavish spending. He purchased a home in Dallas for $55 million in 2014 and reportedly spent millions of dollars renovating it with 77-car garage, a bowling alley, and a tennis court. He has also been criticized for his close relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whom he has funded trips for and hosted at his home.
Personal Life
Harlan Crow was born in 1949 in Dallas, Texas, to Trammell and Margaret Crow. His father was a well-known real estate developer who founded the Trammell Crow Company, which became one of the largest real estate development firms in the United States.
Harlan Crow grew up in Dallas and attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, a prestigious all-boys school. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Southern Methodist University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Harlan Crow is married to Kathy Crow, and they have four children together. They are known for their philanthropy, and have donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and the arts. They are also avid collectors of historical artifacts and have a private museum in Dallas that houses their extensive collection.
Harlan Crow is known for his conservative political views and has been a major donor to the Republican Party and conservative causes. He has also been a close friend of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and their friendship has been the subject of controversy due to gifts that Harlan Crow has given to Justice Thomas.
Controversies and Criticisms
Harlan Crow has been the subject of several controversies and criticisms throughout his career. One of the most notable controversies involves his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas has been accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of luxury trips from Crow without disclosing them on his financial disclosure forms. Thomas claims he was told by his wife that the trips did not need to be reported. However, legal ethicists have raised concerns about the potential conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety. Crow has also faced criticism for his political contributions. He has donated millions of dollars to Republican candidates and causes, including the campaigns of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney. Some have accused him of using his wealth to influence politics and policy. In addition to his political contributions, Crow has been criticized for his real estate development projects. His company, Crow Holdings, has been accused of gentrification and displacing low-income residents in some of its projects. Critics argue that Crow’s development projects prioritize profit over the needs of the community. Despite these controversies and criticisms, Crow remains a prominent figure in the world of real estate and politics. His influence and wealth continue to shape the landscape of both industries.
Legacy
Harlan Crow’s family has a deep legacy in Dallas, Texas. His father, Fred Trammell Crow, founded Trammell Crow Company, one of the largest real estate development and investment companies in the world. Harlan Crow himself continued the family tradition by founding Crow Holdings, a successful real estate development and investment firm.
Aside from his business success, Harlan Crow is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, arts, and culture. In 2017, he donated $10 million to the George W. Bush Presidential Center to establish the Harlan Crow Library, which houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts related to American history.
Harlan Crow’s legacy also includes his close friendship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. While their relationship has come under scrutiny due to gifts given as part of their friendship, it is undeniable that Harlan Crow has had a significant impact on Justice Thomas’s life and career.
Overall, Harlan Crow’s legacy is one of business success, philanthropy, and close personal relationships. His contributions to the city of Dallas and beyond will continue to be felt for years to come.
