DALLAS MARKET CENTER FOUNDER
TRAMMELL CROW DIES AT AGE 94

DALLAS – Trammell Crow, Dallas Market Center founder, died Wednesday , Jan 14, at his family farm near Tyler, TX. Crow founded Dallas Market Center in 1957 as the centerpiece of large-scale development projects including wholesale market centers and tradeshows around the world.

In 1948, Crow formed Trammell Crow Company, a real estate development and investment firm, responsible for nationwide projects in commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, and assorted ventures. Crow began his wholesale trade development business in 1955 with the more than 70,000 sq. ft. Dallas Decorative Center. From this wholesale building, Crow developed a multi-marketplace campus encompassing more than seven million square feet.

It began with the Homefurnishings Mart, founded in 1957; now known as the International Floral & Gift Center.  The Trade Mart opened in 1958; and is currently the international home of lighting.  Market Hall opened in 1960 as the world’s largest privately owned exhibition hall.  The International Apparel Mart opened in 1964 and expanded to become the world’s largest apparel and accessories marketplace.  The World Trade Center was dedicated in 1974 and is currently three million square feet showcasing gift and home décor and FashionCenterDallas, the largest apparel and accessories marketplace in the United States and the Menswear Mart debuted in 1982.  Today’s Dallas Market Center campus of five million square feet includes the Trade Mart, World Trade Center, International Floral & Gift Center and Market Hall.

Crow first expanded his vision globally in 1975, co-developing the Brussels International Trade Mart in Brussels, Belgium. This Trade Mart, the first center of its kind in Europe, attracted buyers from around the world and remains under Crow ownership. Crow’s Market Center Management Company continued its international growth in 2002 by becoming the management partner for ShanghaiMart, Asia’s first and China’s largest market center.

“From a small barren field in Dallas, Mr. Crow’s unique vision for global trade created the world’s largest wholesale trade center,” said Bill Winsor, president and chief executive officer, Dallas Market Center. “His unwavering passion for business was the catalyst for helping countless entrepreneurs in manufacturing, wholesale and retail. He inspired others to do more than they thought possible, and his legacy of leadership remains a fixture of our business.”

01.19.09