HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Julio Laguarta, a prominent leader in Houston’s real estate community and a former president of the National Association of Realtors, died on January 3 at the age of 86.
Throughout a long and influential career, Laguarta played a central role in one of Texas’ most ambitious urban land assemblages. In the early 1970s he helped assemble 32 downtown blocks on behalf of Texas Eastern—a project that ultimately became the site of Houston Center and other notable developments near the George R. Brown Convention Center. That effort is widely regarded as one of the most significant urban land consolidations completed in the state.
In the early 1960s Laguarta joined partners to establish the firm Laguarta, Gavrel & Bolin, which specialized in land brokerage. The company built a strong reputation for handling complex property transactions and site assembly work across the Houston region.
Laguarta also devoted substantial energy to professional leadership and industry organizations. His service record includes:
- President, Houston Association of Realtors (1967)
- President, Texas Association of Realtors (1975)
- President, National Association of Realtors (1982)
- President, CCIM (1973)
- President, Gulf Coast Society of Industrial Realtors (SIOR) (1970)
- Co-founder, Houston Realty Breakfast Club (1967)
Beyond his organizational leadership, Laguarta was instrumental in establishing the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, supporting the center’s mission to advance real estate research, education, and outreach in Texas.
Born in Galveston, Laguarta moved to Houston as a child. He attended West University Elementary School and Pershing Junior High before graduating from Lamar High School in 1951. He went on to earn his degree from the University of Texas and returned to Houston to build his career and contribute to the city’s growth.