Ray H. Harris of The Kenwood was inducted into the Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Golden Valley Country Club on November 15. Harris, who was featured in a story by James Lenfestey in our October issue, is known as Mr. Minneapolis for his love of the city and storied career taking on problems and challenges as a developer consultant and leader to improve the quality of life for Minneapolis residents.
A problem solver at heart, real estate was the mechanism Harris chose to make his city resilient, welcoming, and successful for everyone. Over his sixty-year career, Harris worked with countless neighborhood groups, public sector entities and professional associations for rejuvenation, quality housing, services to the elderly, convenient commercial areas and community-based education programs.
His projects include Calhoun Square in Uptown, Greenway Gables and Berger Fountain in Loring Park, Orchestra Hall, Towerside Innovation District, Cedar/Riverside, Douglas School Townhomes, Sholom Alliance, Chiron School and acquiring the Sears property to make way for Midtown Exchange.
The Hall of Fame was established in 2010 by the Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St Thomas Opus College of Business. The Hall of Fame goal is to honor, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of leaders across Minnesota who have made transformational contributions in real estate and demonstrated care and concern for improving their communities.
