A year and a half after Urban Acres real estate entered the market as a new, member-owned real estate agency in the Corridor, the company has announced it will move into a new, 9,500 square foot headquarters off of Holiday Road in Coralville.
Ernie Galer, Urban Acres managing broker, said more than 35 Iowa City-based real estate agents came together to launch Urban Acres in October 2015 and that number has grown to 53, prompting the need for a larger space. Currently the company’s main office is located at 1519 S. Gilbert St. in Iowa City. “We are so pleased with the reaction we have gotten from the community,” Galer said. “Our company’s growth, the success of our clients, and being named Best of the Area in 2016, are all a great source of pride for all of us.”
Urban Acres Agent Mitch Price said the new building gives the company a way to reinvest in the communities it serves. “We built this company to give back. That’s why our agents provide more than 2,000 volunteer hours a year to local charities and organizations. It’s our company’s goal to support everything from the tax base to local charities to local events that help make the Corridor such a wonderful place to live and work.”
The new Urban Acres building will be located in what is called the Bridgewater Subdivision, just west of the Hampton Inn and 1201 Tap located north of I-80. Urban Acres Agent Mike McEleney said the central location will allow agents to serve clients in every neighborhood of Iowa City as well as in Coralville, North Liberty, Cedar Rapids, Mt. Vernon/Lisbon, Solon, Riverside, Wellman, West Branch, West Liberty, Swisher/Ely, Tiffin, Oxford, Kalona, Washington, Wellman, and the Amana Colonies.
“And, as we begin to expand our services into the Cedar Rapids market, having easy access to I-80 and I-380 is even more important,” said Agent Phil O’Brien. “This building will offer convenience for our agents, and it will also give us a wonderful place to serve our clients.”
Agent Andrea Hicks said the new building, slated to open in fall 2017, will help Urban Acres take the next steps in fulfilling its mission to “do something different.” “Our company is 100 percent locally owned. Most of us have grown up in the area, or have lived most of our lives here, and we are proud that the way we do business is resonating with clients and the community.”
In addition to housing Urban Acres headquarters, the Bridgewater Subdivision will have single family homes, zero lots, townhomes, two 36-plex condo buildings, a $50 million senior housing development, and 160 units of 10-story high rise condos.
