Hines, the global real estate firm, bought the 10-story building at 136 S. Main St. in 1988. Constructed in 1911, the steel-reinforced concrete structure with a white terra cotta facade was among the first ever purchased by the Houston-based company.
Three decades later, Hines is one of the world’s largest privately held real estate powerhouses, overseeing a global portfolio worth some $120 billion.
The firm recently announced it has embarked on a $25 million overhaul of the Kearns Building’s interior and its electrical, plumbing and other support systems — a testament, one official said, to its enduring commitment to the city’s downtown.