A Texas Real Estate Legend
Ed Wulfe redefined commercial real estate development and management in Houston.
Ed Wulfe
1933 - 2019
“Onward & Upward.”
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Wulfe began his career as a mechanical engineer and made his move into real estate in 1960. He spent seventeen years at Weingarten Realty where he rose to Executive Vice President and a member of its Board of Directors. In 1985, he launched Wulfe & Co., a commercial real estate brokerage and development firm. During his real estate career, he was involved in all aspects of the development and operation of shopping centers and commercial properties, including serving as a Vice President and a Board member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Wulfe's innovative development of the high profile BLVD Place received the Houston Business Journal's 2015 Landmark Award for Mixed-Use development. Wulfe's redevelopment of Gulfgate Shopping Center and the resulting revitalization of the surrounding area generated ULI's 2012 Development of Distinction Award and two 2003 Landmark Awards for Gulfgate as the "Best Commercial Real Estate Rehabilitation/Renovation Project" and the "Best Impact on the Community Project", and his renovation of Meyerland Plaza Shopping Center earned two Legacy Awards for "Deals That Made a Difference" in 1995 and 1996.
Beginning in 1998, Wulfe served as Chairman of the Mayor's Main Street Coalition. In 2003, he successfully chaired a citywide referendum to expand Houston's light rail and transit systems. In 2012 he Co-Chaired the City's successful $100 million Parks Bond issue Campaign, served as Chairman of the Stadium Land Redevelopment Committee and Co-Chairman of the Broadway Scenic Enhancement Committee. He was a past Chairman of the Board and President of the Houston Symphony and a founding member of the Greater Houston Partnership's Quality of Life Committee and the Steering Committee of Houston's Quality of Life Coalition.
Wulfe was a member of the Executive Committees of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Symphony and Scenic Houston. He also served on the Boards of Trees for Houston; Uptown Houston, Texas Bowl, Holocaust Museum Houston, the Foundation of the Texas Heart Institution, and the Methodist Hospital Center for Performing Arts Medicine. He was a past President of Congregation Emanu El, past Chairman of the Urban Land Institute's Houston District Council and past President of Holocaust Museum Houston.
Recognitions
In 2018, Wulfe received the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumni Recognition Award
In 2017, Wulfe received the American Advertising Federation Trailblazer Award
In 2016, the Houston Chronicle named Wulfe one of twelve "Houston Heroes" and the Houston Technology Center also named him Businessman of the Year.
In 2015, Wulfe was one of five real estate leaders named by the Houston Business Journal as a "Titan" who helped shaped Houston.
In 2014, Wulfe received CoreNet Realty's Lifetime Achievement Award and he was also the Honoree at the Memorial Park Conservancy's Annual Dinner.
In 2012, he received The Center for Houston Future's Eugene Vaughan's Civic Leadership Award.
In 2009, Blueprint Houston presented Wulfe with their Visionary award.
In 2008, the Houston Chapter of the Associated General Contractors presented Wulfe with their Master Builder Award.
In 2007, The Houston Symphony dedicated its Opening Night Concert and Gala to Wulfe.
In 2006, Wulfe was inducted into the City of Houston's Hall of Fame and was also named a "Texas Legend" by Cadillac/Channel 11 and The Houston Chronicle.
In 2005, The Texas Legends Award was presented by the Galleria Chamber of Commerce to him and the American Leadership Forum also presented him with their Exemplary Leader Award.
In 2004, the Rice Design Alliance presented him with their Design Excellence Award and The Park People also presented him their Leadership Award.
In 2003, the Houston Business Journal presented him with their commercial real estate Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2002, Wulfe received the American Jewish Committee's annual Human Relations Award.
In 2001, Wulfe was honored as Scenic Houston's Scenic Visionary.