31 Facts About Richard Hedreen

Richard Castle Hedreen was born on April 15,1935 and is an American property developer and art collector based in Seattle, Washington.

On March 13,2024, Seattle University announced that Hedreen would be donating his entire art collection, valued at $300 million, to the university to create the Seattle University Museum of Art.

The Richard Hedreen gift is considered to be the largest gift of art ever made to a university.

Richard Castle Hedreen was born on April 15,1935, to Nona Castle and Guy Noble Hedreen, who worked for an insurance company.

Richard Hedreen is the younger brother of Guy Michael Hedreen, who was born in 1933.

Richard Hedreen attended Garfield High School, and played on the golf team, participated in the ski club and was a junior class representative.

Richard Hedreen attended the University of Washington and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in civil engineering.

Richard Hedreen built the 11-story Harbor House apartment building in Queen Anne for $1.6 million.

In 1967 Richard Hedreen began building the 24-story Washington Park Tower in the Madison Park neighborhood.

In 1969 Richard Hedreen began building the 27-story Seattle Hilton Hotel in downtown Seattle.

Richard Hedreen was developing the 22-story Park Place building on the site of the park.

Miller and Richard Hedreen reached an agreement where Richard Hedreen would help develop the park and underground parking and still be allowed to build the Park Place building.

Richard Hedreen opposed the City Council's decision to convert the nearby Wilhard Hotel into low-income housing for senior citizens.

Richard Hedreen built the Crown Plaza Hotel in 1979 and sold it to Holiday Inn for $32.5 million in 1983; and the Madison Renaissance in 1983.

Richard Hedreen was elected to the Seattle Art Museum board of trustees in 1978, serving as chairman for the museums' Westlake construction committee that oversaw the construction of Westlake Mall, and disputed with mayor Charles Royer over who would develop it.

In 1989 Richard Hedreen purchased the historic Music Hall theatre with plans to demolish it and build a 31-story hotel.

Richard Hedreen sued the city for $10 million after the activists delayed the project.

In 2001 Richard Hedreen developed the Elliot luxury hotel.

In 2002 Richard Hedreen hired land-use attorney Ryan Durkan and lobbyist Jamie Durkan to petition Seattle City Council to allow Richard Hedreen to apply those credits for future projects.

Nickles was elected as a pro-union candidate and received opposition from hotel owners; but shortly after Nickels was sworn in Richard Hedreen contributed to the mayors 2005 re-election campaign.

In 2005 Richard Hedreen began construction on the Olive 8 building, utilizing Gluckman Tang Architects.

In 2015 Richard Hedreen began building the 45-story Hyatt Regency Seattle.

Richard Hedreen bought part of the land in 1995 and tried for years to develop it.

In 2014 employees of the Hyatt attempted to negotiate unionizing with Richard Hedreen through Unite Here Local 8, but no deal was reached.

In 2018 Richard Hedreen opposed the Seattle head tax, which would have raised $50 million per year to fund homeless services.

In 2021 Richard Hedreen donated to the campaign to recall Seattle city council member Sawant.

Richard Hedreen donated to the campaign of Ann Davison for Seattle City Attorney in November 2021.

In 2011 Richard Hedreen purchased a Frans Hals painting from Sotheby's for $10 million.

On March 13,2024, Seattle University announced that Richard Hedreen would be donating his entire art collection, valued at $300 million, and twenty-five million dollars to the university to create the Seattle University Museum of Art.

Richard Hedreen's gift made in honor of his late wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Hedreen, a Seattle University alumna who fought multiple sclerosis for fifty-five years, and to acknowledge the Jesuits in the arts.

Richard Hedreen is the grandfather of eleven grandchildren: Estelle, Olivia, Guy, Rose, Ricky, Graham, Ellie, Clayton, George, Gavin, and Frances.