Gillon Property Group has emerged as a new entity managing the real estate assets of Ray Washburne and his wife, Heather Hill Washburne. Heather is part of the Hill-Hunt family, which traces its fortune to H.L. Hunt, a Texas oil magnate whose acquisition of land in the East Texas Oil Field led to the founding of Hunt Oil Company. The family’s legacy extends into hospitality through Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and sports, with Lamar Hunt playing a key role in forming the American Football League and influencing the development of the Super Bowl.
The combined wealth of the family is estimated at $25 billion. Heather Hill Washburne’s marriage to Ray Washburne connects two influential families; Ray’s lineage includes Hempstead Washburne, who served as mayor of Chicago in the 1890s.
Ray Washburne is recognized for his involvement in Dallas real estate and business ventures. He co-founded Mi Cocina, a Tex-Mex restaurant chain, and was part of a group that purchased Highland Park Village in 2009 for $170 million. The property has since become an upscale shopping destination and houses Park House, a private club modeled after Soho House.
Washburne also participates in major redevelopment projects in Dallas. He played a role in plans to revitalize areas around the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center by acquiring properties such as the former Dallas Morning News building and Greyhound bus terminal. His efforts have contributed to ongoing discussions about urban renewal in downtown Dallas.
Additionally, Washburne is involved with Trammell Crow Company on Knox & McKinney, a planned 12-story office building at 4544 McKinney Avenue.
Beyond real estate, Washburne has been active in Republican politics. He served as president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation during the Trump administration and helped establish its successor agency, leading it until 2019. His political work includes fundraising roles for Chris Christie’s campaign and serving as vice chairman for Trump Victory Committee in 2016. Politico reported that he met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a presidential transition to advise on cabinet appointments related to energy policy.
