VRM Companies will unveil the sculpture 'A Orillas del Río' by Puerto Rican artist Luis Torruella on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm, celebrating the rebirth of Ciudad Jardín Gurabo. The event, held at the Club House area of The River Village, is expected to draw more than 300 residents, alongside Gurabo Mayor Vilmarie Peña, the sculptor, and VRM team members. This unveiling caps a five-year transformation of a community that had languished in deterioration for nearly 15 years.
When VRM Companies entered the scene in 2021, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo was home to about 519 families trapped in neglected common areas, ruined facilities, and declining property values. The Golf Club House—owned by third parties, not residents—lay vandalized and unused, alongside an abandoned golf course, unused tennis courts, and a deteriorated entrance booth. VRM made a commitment beyond building and selling new homes, executing a comprehensive transformation during a pandemic and unprecedented construction cost inflation to restore dignity and value to the entire community.
A key achievement was rescuing the Golf Club House, now called The River Village. VRM transferred its ownership from third parties to the Master Association of Owners, returning control to residents. What was an abandoned structure now hosts multiple businesses and operators serving residents and the broader community, enriching quality of life and contributing to the economy of Gurabo and Puerto Rico. The abandoned courts became a new Racket Club with tennis, pickleball, and beach tennis; the entrance booth was expanded and modernized; and common areas were fully rehabilitated.
The impact extended to both new homeowners and existing residents. Today, more than 1,000 families enjoy a first-class community, thanks to delivery of quality resort-style homes in River Terrace, River View, and River Estates complexes. Despite historic construction cost increases, these complexes represent the best affordable housing option among market projects for the middle class in Puerto Rico, with average prices around $300,000 to $400,000.
'At VRM Companies, we believe that good development is one that not only benefits those who buy a home, but elevates a place for the benefit of an extended community,' said Rafael E. Rojo, President and CEO of VRM Companies. 'Today, Gurabo has a first-class destination that, while enhancing community life, attracts commercial activity, strengthens the tax base, and projects an image of progress for the entire region. We back this transformation with investment, commitment, and above all, our word; and the result is now visible to all.'
The sculpture 'A Orillas del Río' symbolizes this transformation. With free and flowing lines forming the letter 'R', Torruella's work evokes the river embracing the community and summarizes the spirit of change: Rescue of an abandoned project, Resilience in achieving it during adverse times, and Rebirth of a community celebrating life in harmony with nature.
For business and technology leaders, this story underscores the power of strategic investment and community-focused development to revitalize distressed areas. VRM’s approach—combining real estate development with operational improvements and community engagement—offers a model for turning abandoned spaces into thriving hubs that boost local economies and property values. The company’s ability to execute during challenging conditions demonstrates resilience and adaptability, key traits for leaders navigating today’s volatile markets.
With 50 years of trajectory (1976–2026), VRM Companies is one of the leading residential developers in Puerto Rico, having developed over 15,000 homes and 70 communities. The company maintains operations in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Florida, along with an investment platform and portfolio in finance, media, renewable energy, and commercial real estate. More information about VRM Companies can be found at VRM Companies.
