
How
How
The Urban Villages Approach

Human-Centered, Nature-Inspired Real Estate
First we dream. Every project is rooted in human-centered values, a long-term imagination, and a reverence for the natural world.
To kick off our Populus project, we started with a walk in an Aspen grove in Colorado with our architect, Jeanne Gang, to draw inspiration from the natural world. To be environmental stewards during the construction process, we explore new methods and materials that reduce our embodied carbon footprint: from low-carbon concrete to recycled and locally-sourced materials. To activate the ground floors of our buildings, we identify up-and-coming chefs and small business owners to create one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops. To create spaces that are authentic to the local community, we commission original art pieces and work with local artists to make our spaces come alive.
When every detail matters and every decision is made with intention, the extraordinary becomes possible.


Designed for Humans, Inspired by Nature
We believe humans are at the heart of urban villages, and we obsess over the humanity of the built environment. Our projects contribute to walkable, livable neighborhoods. Our buildings’ interiors are designed with warmth and intention: from high-quality materials to original art pieces. We activate the back alleys in between our buildings with art installations and pop-up events from local artists. We identify local chefs and entrepreneurs to bring their vision to life with unique restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
The signature of Urban Villages is world-class design. From biophilic architecture to nature-inspired interiors, our properties reflect exceptional taste, original art, and sustainable materials. We don’t cut corners. In each project, we combine world-class craftsmanship and long-term environmental stewardship.
We’re 20 Years Old and Just Getting Started
Founded in 2004 by Grant McCargo, Urban Villages has developed over $2 billion of real estate in Colorado in the last two decades. From the beginning, our focus has been on large, district-scale projects and buildings that have the potential to transform a neighborhood.
From our mixed-use redevelopment of an entire city block in LoDo (Sugar Block), to transforming the city’s former main street, Larimer Square, into a pedestrian-only dining hub, to Populus, our new nature-inspired hotel overlooking Civic Center Park, our work has varied over the years. But one thing has remained the same: we’re committed to doing precedent-setting projects that activate neighborhoods and bring nature back into our urban spaces.
In an industry that thinks in 6-8 year cycles, we plan for multiple generations. For each project, we ask, “What does this project want to be?” and then “How can we push the limits of creativity, environmentalism, and activation?” These questions force us to maintain ultra-high standards and take an ultra-long-term perspective. We aspire to imagine what a building or neighborhood will feel like in 100 years.

We are Village Builders
The only way to produce extraordinary results is with extraordinary talent. Our team of entrepreneurs, environmentalists, artists, architects, developers, and investors is uncompromising not only in how we approach each project, but how we nurture our own culture. Like our projects themselves, our organization is built for the long-term, designed with humans in mind, and constructed with a deep attention to detail and care.


Interested in a Rewarding Career with Us?
Urban Villages is committed to doing precedent-setting projects that activate neighborhoods and bring nature back into our urban spaces. The only way to produce extraordinary results is with extraordinary talent.
