Having the right forethought and the right partner is key to our real estate investment strategy. That’s why we spend time getting to know our capital partners and work together with them to chart our success. We identify a potential asset, form a vision for what the asset will look like and commit to it. Then we create an organized plan to get there with a detailed road map that addresses the needs for each floor.
A deep connection to the Seattle, Portland and Denver commercial real estate markets and a clear-eyed understanding of asset realities helps us source new, and often overlooked, opportunities. As a full-service real estate development firm with diverse and specialized skills, we can offer a range of creative solutions while providing critical insight into asset evaluation.
Cities are attracting more people than ever before. Suburban town centers are springing up in nearly every jurisdiction. Places to gather and connect, that tie into the surrounding community, are in high demand and the need for more is growing every day.
We’re passionate about investing in development projects that facilitate community. That’s not just talk. Our acquisition strategy directs us to invest in properties that have potential to transform neighborhoods and create new localities. We put the power of our superior real estate skills, deep market knowledge and thorough understanding of global trends into creating inspiring places with every chance we get.
If you invest thoughtfully in and add value to a town or city, good returns will follow. We’ve seen this again and again. We’ve transformed a run-down building, not touched since the ‘70s, into a productive and attractive asset in Seattle’s central business district.
Key to our success in new development is acquiring great ground in emerging locations—like Portland’s Goose Hollow neighborhood. Our recent acquisition of the old Oregonian Publishing Blocks, near Timbers Stadium and a light rail transit hub, should prove to be a major development.
When we consider an asset, we look at both macro- and micro-market conditions that have the potential to impact the asset’s value. We specifically focus on six primary areas of risk management and due diligence in our underwriting process: regional economic conditions, market conditions, financial analysis & sensitivity modeling, property operations & physical due diligence and legal due diligence.
Our investment team works closely with the entire URG team to identify strategies that add value, ensuring nothing is missed and all opportunities are identified. This “all-hands-on-deck” methodology brings together diverse perspectives to maximize return potential on invested capital.
The most rewarding real estate investments produce both excellent returns and a lasting legacy. And in some cases, an ongoing partnership. Near the end of our second year in business, the Joshua Green Corporation (JGC), a private investment firm with roots in 19th century shipbuilding, contracted with us to evaluate the renovation potential of their 100-year-old Seattle landmark, the Joshua Green Building. It is a legacy asset the firm was never planning to sell and was built by Joshua Green himself, so why not make it something that could last another 100 years? The comprehensive restoration resulted in a Class A historic office building that was fully leased within 18 months in a challenging environment. Subsequent successful collaborations lead JGC to invest in our business and become the majority shareholder.
We transform communities with development designed to inspire and connect.
We manage dynamic, engaging properties, serving the needs of tenants and owners.
