JOHN P. HANSEN
1938-2021
John Peter Hansen (nicknamed Jack by family and friends) was born on April 22, 1938 in Belle Harbor, New York. He was raised in Brightwaters, Long Island where he attended Bay Shore High School. John graduated from Brown University with a degree in Economics, and later served as Trustee. After college, John became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, assigned to the destroyer USS Damato. Following the Navy, John pursued his career in Manhattan and Chicago before moving to Houston to work with Gerald Hines, furthering his calling to develop commercial real estate. In 1972, John founded his own company, John Hansen Investment Builder (currently Hansen Partners) and left his mark on Houston’s real estate landscape forever.
Jack is survived and loved by his wife of over 34 years, Paula Savage Hansen, her children Bethany Andell Haley, John Andell, his wife Stacy Andell and his grandchildren Campbell and John Haley, and John Thomas Andell. He also leaves behind his younger sister Jean Maierhoffer.
John’s life’s work and philanthropy was dedicated to his unwavering belief that people deserve a clean, safe and beautiful place to work, live and learn. He had a passion for the preservation and beautification of the neighborhoods and communities he lived and operated in, and demonstrated that passion by planting hundreds of trees, improving streetscapes and creating green spaces. You could often see Jack walking his properties, making notes for improvements and picking up litter left behind. Anyone who knew John, knows that it wasn’t just about the building – he wanted to create a sense of place by taking great care in the design, experience and quality of the surrounding environment.
He volunteered his personal time, money and talent, and held instrumental roles in the renovations and expansions of Poe Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Annunciation Orthodox School (AOS), Bell Park and St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Consistent with his love for Houston and education, John also gifted the City of Houston space to house the Montrose Library.
Career-wise, John was most proud of his Riverway development at Woodway and 610, and his transformation of the corner of Richmond and Montrose known as the The Campanile. The most recognizable landmark of The Campanile was his pub, The Black Labrador (named and imaged after his favorite black lab, Charlie) where you could often find Jack entertaining friends and neighbors with his colorful stories. In all, he developed over 2.5 million square feet of office and hospitality space including Pin Oak Office Park, Four Season’s Inn on the Park Hotel (now the Omni) and the Plaza Medical Center.
When not hard at work, you could find Jack and his wife enjoying their home in Rockport, Maine, sitting in his same spot at St. Anne Catholic church, cooking and hosting large family dinners (for any occasion), taking his grandchildren on city tours to discuss the history of Houston real estate and see his decades worth of developments or telling (repeating) stories to get a laugh or make a point.
Jack cared deeply for his loved ones and the place he called home. He will be greatly missed. A celebration of his life will be held after it is safe to congregate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Father John Robbins Bourse Scholarship at the St. Anne Catholic School Foundation. Donate online at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=a7f57a or mail to St. Anne School Foundation, 2120 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098. For questions please contact Lisa Jakel at ljakel@stannefoundation.org.