Hill Family

For more than a century, the Hill family of Regina has owned and operated one of the most successful family-run real estate development companies in Canada. In 1903, the patriarch of the Hill dynasty, local school teacher Walter H.A. Hill, and his business partner E.A. McCallum, founded McCallum Hill Ltd. of Regina. Specializing in insurance and real estate, McCallum Hill Ltd. was best known for its development of the historic Lakeview subdivision in south Regina. By 1912, the company had become the largest land developer in Western Canada. Ownership of McCallum Hill Ltd. fell entirely to the Hills following the death of the McCallum partners in the 1930s. In 1953, Walter's son, Frederick W. Hill, took over the family business. Frederick led the company through impressive growth, developing the first post-war residential subdivisions (Hillsdale and Normanview) in Regina, purchasing the CKCK television station, and acquiring numerous Canadian and American companies in real estate, broadcasting, oil and gas, and insurance. As director and chairman of the Hill Companies (formerly McCallum Hill Ltd.), Frederick Hill redefined Regina's downtown skyline with the addition of five office towers - each built, owned and managed by the Hill Companies. The centrepiece of the family empire is the Hill Centre, Regina's twin tower office complex that stands on the site of the former McCallum Hill Building - Saskatchewan's tallest building (ten stories) for many years after its construction in 1914. In 1976, Frederick's son, Paul J., became the third generation of Hills to run the family business. He is president and CEO of the Hill Companies and its primary operating entity, Harvard Development Inc. Paul was instrumental in coordinating the 1991 relocation of Crown Life's head office from Toronto to Regina. Paul's daughter, Rosanne, the youngest generation in the Hill dynasty, is vice-president of Harvard Development's commercial portfolio.

Iain Stewart

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Further Reading

Hughes, Bob. 2003. “Regina's ‘Royal Family' Celebrates 100 Years in Town,” Regina Leader-Post (May 7): A2; Martin, P. 2003. “100 Years Old and Still Not Over the Hill,” Saskbusiness 24: 22.