Our Story

Urban Villager was born in 2020.  

After working in sustainable real estate development for many years, and watching as the housing affordability crisis worsened, we wanted to do more to help with affordability.  

Sustainable housing is crucial. However, with the current system, it’s out of reach for most people, and especially those renting.  

And with more and more people moving into cities, more people renting, the continuing eradication of green spaces, the erosion of community, and the increased cost of living, we felt like we could, and should, be doing more.  

At Urban Villager, we create vibrant, connected communities where people thrive.

Alice Joy

Founder & CEO | Urban Villager

Impact Investors

Impact for good

Urban Villager delivers developments that have measurable social, environmental and wellness benefits, while also providing financial returns. Partner with us, align our vision and goals and together we can make a positive impact.

Family Offices

Build, better

You can have the trust and confidence in Urban Villager to create something more with your investment. Something bigger, bolder and most importantly positive. Not only have we got the gumption to take on a new approach to property development, but we also have the goods to back it up. Your investment will be used in cutting-edge projects and returned to you at a profit.

Landowners

Make your space work for you

Maybe you have a space that is underdeveloped and underutilised. Reinvigorating this space can ensure your property is maintained, improved and the resulting wealth returned to you. Develop together and develop for good. Win-win.

Not-for-profit

Aligning vision and values

Together we can create something extraordinary. Utilising your space, making it the best it can be and allowing an ongoing revenue stream so you can continue to direct funds to help and empower your client base.

We’ve committed to a triple-bottom-line:

Planet

Sustainable building and living

We build so that apartment dwellers can live a green lifestyle, in the community that they work in. We build from renewable materials in a low-carbon, thoughtful and considered way. We focus on affordable living, not just a cheap build price – meaning we design for energy efficiency, passive heating and cooling and homes that last. We’re big fans of solar energy. We love urban gardens, both for beauty and practicality; enabling residents to grow food and share resources. We have productive and biodiverse wall and rooftop gardens, flowers, air-cleaning plants and native bees.

People

People thrive, not just survive

We create affordable, smaller and more diverse options, share resources, support co-living and help each other out. We create smaller and more diverse options so that people can rent what they need now, and not have to pay for space they don’t need. We share resources (like gardens and living areas) to make it cheaper for everyone. We manage our co-living and single-lease options ourselves, with integrity and kindness. We partner with not-for-profit organisations so people have support when they need it. We set the scene for community resilience and encourage people to look out for each other.

Profit

Returns that keep giving

Build-to-rent is a secure asset-backed investment option giving people choice, security of tenure and a chance to live in the community they work in. There is a huge need for well-located, affordable, sustainable and beautiful housing. The vacancy risk for us is low and the retention rate is high. People feel safe and secure – there’s no owner/renter argument. Smaller spaces and co-living increase the yield per square metre while decreasing costs. The sharing economy, combined with biophilic design, means people are happier (not just happy) with less. The returns keep giving.

The Urban Villager Executive Team

Acknowledgement of country

Urban Villager acknowledge the Awabakal and Worimi peoples as the traditional custodians of Muloobinba (Newcastle), on whose Country we live, work and participate within our community. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

We invite our partners to join us on the educational journey toward greater understanding and compassion.

Always was. Always will be.

Latest resources and insights