Urban Renaissance Group Welcomes Manuel Garibay as New Chief Investment Officer

Urban Renaissance Group Expands Leadership Team

On November 26, 2024, Urban Renaissance Group LLC (URG), based in Seattle, announced an exciting development within its executive ranks. The commercial real estate firm has welcomed Manuel Garibay as the new Chief Investment Officer. With a robust background in the real estate sector, Garibay brings two decades of experience in investment and development across diverse geographic areas and property types.

Garibay was a founding partner of Kamiak, a local real estate firm, and during his career, he has successfully overseen over $2.5 billion in real estate investments within the United States. His portfolio includes a variety of asset types, encompassing multifamily dwellings, office spaces, hotels, and retail locations. His impressive credentials are coupled with a profound understanding of various market dynamics, making him an invaluable addition to URG's team.

Insights from URG Leadership

In a statement, Matt Simo, URG's incoming CEO, expressed his enthusiasm about Garibay’s appointment. "I am thrilled to welcome Manuel to the URG team," stated Simo. He emphasized Garibay's unique blend of extensive investment, development, and asset management experience, particularly in target markets relevant to URG’s strategic growth. Simo's insight underscores Garibay's ability to harmonize investment strategies with operational priorities, which is crucial as URG seeks to innovate and expand.

Moreover, Simo highlighted Garibay's positive cultural fit with URG, noting his collaborative leadership style and dedication to teamwork. "His commitment to fostering collaboration and excellence aligns perfectly with our organizational values, and I am confident he will significantly contribute to our strategic objectives," Simo remarked.

Garibay’s Professional Background

Before his role at Kamiak, Garibay served as Vice President for Blackstone's EQ Office platform, where he managed an extensive office portfolio of 3.7 million square feet in the Pacific Northwest, handling transactions exceeding $1.2 billion. His previous experiences include impactful roles at Vulcan Real Estate, where he was instrumental in managing a portfolio of residential and commercial properties, including the prominent Amazon Corporate Headquarters in Seattle. His journey also took him through various financial and investment firms, which deepened his expertise and industry knowledge.

Garibay articulated his excitement about joining URG, stating, "The exceptional team at URG and their commitment to core principles set them apart in the commercial real estate sector." He expressed eagerness to leverage his experience to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s strategic growth and to create substantial value for its stakeholders.

Role and Responsibilities at URG

As Chief Investment Officer, Garibay will spearhead URG's growth strategy, steering all investment activities, including acquisitions, development, and asset management. His role will also involve overseeing relationships with institutional and private investors, where he will harness his expertise to source and evaluate exceptional real estate investment opportunities in URG’s target markets.

About Urban Renaissance Group

Founded in 2006, Urban Renaissance Group LLC is a prominent full-service commercial real estate company located in Seattle. The firm specializes in acquisitions, development, asset management, leasing, property management, and ownership across cities such as Seattle, Bellevue, Denver, and Portland. URG is recognized for its forward-thinking approach and dedication to building community while generating appropriate returns for investors. For more information about Urban Renaissance Group's activities and operations, visit www.urbanrengroup.com.