About Us
Urban Trends Real Estate, Inc. is a privately-owned Charlotte-based company that
focuses on solving the inequity of quality, affordable housing by acquiring and developing
real estate that will stabilize and transform neighborhoods.
Our firm’s leadership has over 75 years of experience of designing, developing, financing
and asset managing commercial and residential real estate projects. Our vision is to
balance good design, profitability with social entrepreneurship in our projects that produce
exponential returns to the communities where we invest.
In light of unfortunate impact of urban renewal in many of our large cities in this country,
our firm specializes in developing urban infill residential housing by utilizing existing
infrastructure and facilitating community engagement to target three (3) housing sectors –
Affordable (Subsidized); Attainable (Unsubsidized) and Conventional (Market Rate).
By leveraging our experience, professional relationships and comprehensive bench of
employees, partners and consultants, we are assembling a quality, strong performing
portfolio of 1,000+ housing units over the next 5 years that will not only solve current
housing challenges but will also be positioned to support emerging needs for safe,
affordable and quality housing.
Leadership Team
Chris Ogunrinde
CEO
Chris leads the development of all our housing projects. Chris is an architect by training with over 30+ years of experience in the development of master-planned communities in the Southeast U.S. Prior to founding Urban Trends, Chris practiced architecture and was co-founder/principal of Neighboring Concepts, a Charlotte community planning, architectural and development firm. He has a bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Southern University School of Architecture and is a Registered Architect in the State of North Carolina.
John S. Gardner
Director
John oversees day-to-day operations with our team and strategic partners. He has 40 years of experience in project development and management, working on projects that include the Pentagon Renovation Program, US Department of Transportation Headquarters, and Chrysler Technology Center & Headquarters. Past clients include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, GSA, US Army Corp of Engineers, US Dept of Defense, US Dept of Agriculture, Bell Labs, Cummins Engine, Motorola, Northrop Grumman, Knoll, Steelcase, FBI, ARAMCO, and Prudential Real Estate. Community development includes efforts in Houston, Washington, DC and Michigan. John has a BS in Architecture from the University of Illinois-Urbana and post-graduate work in urban design at the San Francisco Center for Architecture & Urban Studies
Kevin Pleasant
Director
Kevin guides the finance and structuring efforts for Urban Trends’s multifamily projects. He brings 21+ years of experience in multifamily real estate underwriting and structuring guidance to the development team, working in markets such as New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. Kevin has a BS in Biology from Caldwell University and a Master's in Real Estate Finance & Investment from NYU.
Casey George
Director
Casey has worked with Urban Trends for 8 years, performing due diligence, financial modeling, transaction structuring, and leading negotiations with capital partners. He is currently a Managing Partner at Obsidian Point Partners, a lower-middle market private equity sponsor. Casey held past positions at OGx Consulting, UBS and 3M. Casey has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Howard University and an MBA in Finance & Economics from Columbia Business School.
Development Team
To meet our goals, we have aligned with key strategic partners with whom we have an existing relationship
- Liz Ward, Give Impact, supports capital raising and affordable housing funding
- Kenny Abner, Bishop, Dulaney, Joyner & Abner, P.A., provides legal counsel on real estate and corporate matters.
- Susan Ellinger, Ellinger & Carr PLLC, offers affordable housing structuring and finance legal counsel.
- Jeff Stevens, BGW CPA, accounting, CFO, and tax advisory services
- Michelle Jone, M|J Creative, provides branding, communication and social media support
- Matt Langston PLA, FASLA, Landworks Design Group, Site & civil design, plus assist with City rezoning and subdivision efforts
- Gaile Burton, UT Collective, a non-profit community development organization
Our Partners
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