VRM Companies will celebrate this Thursday, June 18 at 5:30pm, the unveiling of 'A Orillas del Río', a sculpture by Puerto Rican artist Luis Torruella, at the Club House area of The River Village in Ciudad Jardín Gurabo. The event marks a milestone in the transformation of a community that, for nearly fifteen years, remained in a state of deterioration and abandonment. More than 300 residents have confirmed attendance, along with Gurabo Mayor Vilmarie Peña, sculptor Luis Torruella, and VRM team members.
In 2021, VRM Companies committed to a comprehensive transformation of Ciudad Jardín Gurabo, which had about 519 families living in neglected common areas with 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. VRM's efforts, executed during a pandemic and amid unprecedented construction cost inflation, aimed to restore dignity and value to the entire community.
A key achievement was the rescue of the Golf Club House, now called The River Village. VRM transferred its ownership to the Master Association of Owners, returning control to residents and converting the abandoned structure into a hub for businesses and services. 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. Today, more than 1,000 families enjoy a first-class community, thanks to the delivery of resort-style homes in River Terrace, River View, and River Estates complexes. These homes represent affordable options for the middle class, with average prices around $300,000 to $400,000.
Rafael E. Rojo, President and CEO of VRM Companies, stated, 'We believe that good development 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 progress for the entire region.' The sculpture 'A Orillas del Río' symbolizes the community's rescue, resilience, and rebirth, with flowing lines evoking the river and forming the letter 'R'.
VRM Companies, celebrating 50 years in 2026, has developed over 15,000 homes and 70 communities in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Florida, with additional investments in finance, media, renewable energy, and commercial real estate. More information about the company is available at VRM Companies.
