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. at The River Village Club House in Ciudad Jardín Gurabo. The event, expected to draw over 300 residents, Mayor Vilmarie Peña, and the artist, celebrates the community's transformation from a state of deterioration to a thriving neighborhood.
For nearly 15 years, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo suffered from neglect, with over 500 families trapped in an environment of 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 began a comprehensive transformation during the pandemic and amid rising construction costs. The company transferred ownership of the Club House to the Master Association of Owners, turning it into The River Village, a hub for businesses and services. Abandoned courts became a Racket Club with tennis, pickleball, and beach tennis, and common areas were fully rehabilitated.
Today, Ciudad Jardín Gurabo has grown from 519 families to over 1,000, thanks to the delivery of resort-style homes in River Terrace, River View, and River Estates. These complexes offer affordable housing with average prices between $300,000 and $400,000, despite historic construction cost inflation.
'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,' said Rafael E. Rojo, President and CEO. 'Today, Gurabo has a first-class destination that enhances community life, attracts commercial activity, and projects an image of progress.'
The sculpture 'A Orillas del Río' symbolizes the community's rebirth, with flowing lines evoking the river and representing Rescue, Resilience, and Rebirth. 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.
