VRM Companies Unveils Sculpture, Marks Transformation of Abandoned Community in Gurabo

VRM Companies will unveil the sculpture ‘A Orillas del Río’ by Puerto Rican artist Luis Torruella on Thursday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Club House area of The River Village in Ciudad Jardín Gurabo. The event, attended by more than 300 residents, Mayor Vilmarie Peña, and the artist, marks the culmination of a nearly five-year effort to transform a once-abandoned community into a thriving residential destination.

For nearly 15 years, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo had suffered from neglect, leaving more than 500 families trapped in deteriorating conditions. Common areas were ruined, the golf course lay abandoned, and the Golf Club House—owned by third parties—was vandalized and unused. Property values declined, and the community struggled with a lack of services and amenities.

In 2021, VRM Companies made a commitment to restore the community, undertaking a comprehensive transformation during the pandemic and amid unprecedented construction cost inflation. The company transferred ownership of the Golf Club House to the Master Association of Owners, turning the abandoned structure into The River Village, a hub for businesses and services that now enriches residents’ quality of life. The rehabilitation also included a new Racket Club with tennis, pickleball, and beach tennis courts, a modernized entrance booth, and fully renovated common areas.

The impact has been substantial. When VRM Companies arrived, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo had about 519 families. Today, more than 1,000 families reside there, thanks to the delivery of resort-style homes in the River Terrace, River View, and River Estates complexes. These homes, with average prices around $300,000 to $400,000, represent affordable housing options for the middle class in Puerto Rico, even amid historic cost increases.

Rafael E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer of VRM Companies, said, ‘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. 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.’

The sculpture ‘A Orillas del Río’ symbolizes the community’s journey. Its flowing lines form the letter ‘R,’ evoking the river that embraces the area and representing the Rescue of an abandoned project, the Resilience achieved during adverse times, and the Rebirth of a community now celebrating life in harmony with nature.

VRM Companies, celebrating 50 years in 2026, has developed over 15,000 homes and 70 communities in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Florida. The company’s investment platform includes sectors such as finance, media, renewable energy, and commercial real estate. More information about VRM Companies can be found at https://www.vrmcompanies.com.

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