VRM Companies will celebrate the unveiling of 'A Orillas del Río', a sculpture by Puerto Rican artist Luis Torruella, on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30pm at the Club House area of The River Village in Ciudad Jardín Gurabo. The event, expected to draw more than 300 residents, includes Gurabo Mayor Vilmarie Peña and members of the VRM team, highlighting the community's transformation from abandonment to vibrancy.
For nearly fifteen years, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo suffered deterioration and neglect. Over 500 families lived amidst ruined facilities and declining property values. The Golf Club House, owned by third parties, sat vandalized, alongside an abandoned golf course and unused tennis courts. In 2021, VRM Companies initiated a comprehensive revitalization during the pandemic and amid rising construction costs, aiming to restore dignity and value.
A key achievement was rescuing the Golf Club House, now renamed The River Village. VRM transferred ownership from third parties to the Master Association of Owners, giving residents control. The facility now hosts businesses serving the community. Abandoned courts became a new Racket Club with tennis, pickleball, and beach tennis. The entrance booth was modernized, and common areas were fully rehabilitated.
The impact extended to both new homeowners and existing residents. When VRM arrived, there were about 519 families; today, over 1,000 families live in a first-class community, with resort-style homes in River Terrace, River View, and River Estates. Despite rising costs, these homes remain affordable for the middle class, with prices around $300,000 and $400,000.
Rafael E. Rojo, President and CEO of VRM Companies, stated, 'At VRM Companies, we believe that good development elevates a place for the benefit of an extended community. Today, Gurabo has a first-class destination that attracts commercial activity, strengthens the tax base, and projects progress.'
The sculpture 'A Orillas del Río' by Luis Torruella features flowing lines forming the letter 'R', symbolizing the Rescue of an abandoned project, the Resilience in adverse times, and the Rebirth of a community in harmony with nature. VRM Companies, celebrating 50 years in 2026, has developed over 15,000 homes and 70 communities, with operations in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Florida, along with investments in finance, media, renewable energy, and commercial real estate.
