VRM Companies will unveil '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 celebrates the comprehensive transformation of a community that was once in a state of abandonment and neglect. More than 300 residents, along with Mayor Vilmarie Peña, the artist, and VRM executives, are expected to attend the ceremony, which underscores the power of community and investment in revitalizing a neighborhood.
For nearly fifteen years, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo languished in deterioration, with more than 500 families trapped in an environment of neglected common areas, ruined facilities, and declining property values. The Golf Club House, owned by third parties, was vandalized and unused, alongside an abandoned golf course and deteriorated amenities. In 2021, VRM Companies committed to a comprehensive transformation, executed during a pandemic and amid unprecedented construction cost inflation, aiming to restore dignity and value to the entire community.
One of the most significant achievements was the rescue of the Golf Club House, now renamed The River Village. VRM transferred ownership to the Master Association of Owners, returning control to residents. The facility now houses multiple businesses, serving community needs and contributing to the local economy. The abandoned courts were replaced with a new Racket Club offering tennis, pickleball, and beach tennis. The entrance booth was expanded and modernized, and common areas were completely rehabilitated. Today, what was once synonymous with abandonment is a vibrant community with added value and services.
When VRM Companies arrived in 2021, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo had about 519 families. Now, more than 1,000 families enjoy a first-class community, thanks to the delivery of quality resort-style homes in the River Terrace, River View, and River Estates complexes. Despite a historic rise in construction costs, these complexes represent affordable housing options for the middle class, with average prices ranging around $300,000 to $400,000.
Rafael E. Rojo, President and CEO of VRM Companies, stated, '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 enhances 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' crowns this story. Through free and flowing lines that form the letter 'R,' Torruella's work evokes the river that embraces the community and summarizes its transformation: the Rescue of an abandoned project, the Resilience in adverse times, and the Rebirth of a community celebrating life in harmony with nature.
