Mac Pogue founded one of the largest apartment construction companies in the country, developing buildings in Dallas and throughout the United States.
He founded Lincoln Property Company in 1965 and has grown to become one of the nation's leading real estate companies. Pogue partnered with Dallas developer Trammell Crowe and launched the company on Lincoln's birthday.
Pogue died this week at the age of 89.
Pogue & Lincoln Properties is perhaps best known for its development of a massive Village apartment community in northeast Dallas, a 300-acre rental project near the intersection of Greenville Avenue and Northwest Highway. There are over 11,000 residents.
Under Pogue's leadership, Lincoln built more than 200,000 apartment units across the United States. Starting in the 1980s, the company developed huge local commercial projects, including the Lincoln Center complex on the LBJ Freeway and the Ross Tower skyscraper in downtown Dallas.
“Mac Pogue will be remembered as one of the most prolific and influential real estate leaders of our time,” said Bill Duvall, Pogue's friend and longtime business partner. “For those of us who were fortunate enough to work closely with him as he founded Lincoln Property Company, he will be remembered as a great partner, mentor and friend.
“There will never be another like him and he will be sorely missed.”
Throughout the company's success, Pogue kept a low profile, avoiding public attention.
He was born in 1934 in Sulfur Springs, where his father owned a cotton gin.
After serving in the Army in the mid-1950s, Pogue graduated from Texas Tech University in 1959. He previously took classes at Tyler Junior College, where he sponsored a scholarship.
Wayne Swearingen, a longtime real estate agent in Dallas, said he and Pogue would ask about military days and real estate business when they ran into each other at the Dallas County Club.
“Mac was born poor as a boy in East Texas,” Swearingen said. “I first met him when I went into business as a broker for Henry S. The idea was to lease retail space in Walnut Hill.
Pogue worked as a high school football coach and a salesman before joining a commercial real estate firm in Dallas in 1961. A few years later, he met Trammell Crowe and they soon started an apartment building business together.
“I was responsible for where and what we built,” Pogue said. D Magazine In a 1984 interview. “If he didn't give me the opportunity, he wouldn't have been able to tell me where he was.”
Pogue and Crow maintained a partnership for many years until both companies split and became competitors. His properties in Lincoln made him one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the world and expanded into Europe.
“Their partnership developed and they became warm friends,” said Harlan Crowe, Trammell Crowe's son. “Eventually, they decided to separate the businesses and become friendly competitors, but their close friendship lasted a lifetime.
“My father valued Mack as a man of honor and a great business partner.”
Pogue continued to contribute to the company he founded until recently.
Last year, Lincoln Properties sold ownership of its former apartment business to Canadian real estate company Cadillac Fairview. The apartment company has been rebranded as Willow Bridge Property Co. Pogue retained a small stake in the apartment company.
Lincoln Properties continues to develop commercially throughout the United States and in North Texas.
Pogue is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean Pogue. his brother Jack Pogue; sons, Blake and Blair Pogue, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pogue's memorial service will be held at Park Cities Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, February 6th at 2:00 p.m.
