URBN Playground Made the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2024
It is our distinct honor to announce that URBN Playground has made the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America.
Read more to learn what this means and why it matters.
At URBN Playground, we are in the business of putting smiles on people's faces. After over eight years in business, our commitment to exceptional hospitality and customer service continues to be recognized on a national level.
We are proud to announce that URBN Playground has officially made the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America.
Insight into the Inc. 5000 List
Ranking at #2,837, URBN Playground is proud to be amongst the 5,000 companies in America that have generated over 850,000 jobs and $317 billion in revenue in total.
The methodology utilized to determine the qualifications and rankings of these businesses is a meticulous data-driven pursuit followed by a rigorous vetting process with the editorial team.
This is our third year being a part of the most innovative companies in the nation. This humbling feat has been accomplished by every life that we touch – every smile that we earn.
Your Story is Why Ours is Thriving
URBN Playground was founded on the shared vision of our co-founders, Jeremy Brutus and Amy Blitz. We envision seeing amenities become more than just functional spaces, but places that inspire people and build community.
Our passion for connecting people to other people while fostering a meaningful sense of community is our driving force. Our dedication to achieving this is an unrelenting desire to not only do good, but be good.
From our clients to our residents to our teammates and beyond, we are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support. We look forward to continuing to achieve our mission and spread smiles.
URBN Playground is listed as one of the fastest-growing companies in the US in 2022
Every year, the Inc. 5000 lists celebrates the fast-growing companies in America, who collectively experienced over 2.3X growth in revenue. In 2022, despite post-pandemic change, URBN Playground not only remained resilient but grew by 2.6X (above the Inc. 5000 median), expanding to more neighborhoods and states across the country.
We are grateful to our entire community of stakeholders - without you, this success story would not be possible. And we're not done yet - we're looking forward to continuing to innovate, finding new ways to serve and delight our clients and end customers!
URBN Playground’s Concierge Tech Doubles Reach, Now Serving More Than 25,000 Units in Eight States; Will Debut Property Management Functions and Moderated Community Chats for Buildings
Amenity programming and concierge tech firm URBN Playground has expanded its virtual community platform with the addition of property management functions and community engagement via moderated, opt-in building chats, which it will debut at the National Apartment Association (NAA) conference in San Diego. The URBN virtual community now supports residents of more than 25,000 units across multifamily, commercial, and hospitality properties in New York; Utah; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta.
NEW YORK – June 22, 2022 – Amenity programming and concierge tech firm URBN Playground has expanded its virtual community platform with the addition of property management functions and community engagement via moderated, opt-in building chats, which it will debut at the National Apartment Association (NAA) conference in San Diego. The URBN virtual community now supports residents of more than 25,000 units across multifamily, commercial, and hospitality properties in New York; Utah; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta.
“Both new features as well as proven methods of driving real friendships and community, are hallmarks and core philosophical beliefs we strive for every day. These new features build on URBN’s long-standing commitment to turning urban spaces into communities,” said Jeremy Brutus, co-founder, URBN Playground. “For more than five years, landlords, property managers, and developers have sought us out to plan, design, and operate amenity spaces of all sizes, and our concierge app has supported that. We’ve also built robust technology to provide on-demand services and programming to residents of buildings both with and without physical amenity space. Now, we are expanding those capabilities, with direct, community engagement through our URBN-moderated conversation platform with break-out groups, as well as property management capabilities including maintenance requests and package support.”
A full-service amenity management, consulting, technology, and staffing firm headquartered in New York City, URBN designs and delivers experiences, lifestyles, and moments that build connection and community, within cities, neighborhoods, and buildings. In 2021 , URBN extended service offerings to accommodate multi-tenant commercial properties and corporate clients looking to provide real-time hospitality solutions to their tenants and employees. Aside from widening its client base beyond residential properties, URBN Playground has numerous product developments planned throughout 2022 to expand into and disrupt other aspects of tenant engagement and amenity experience, including property management.
About URBN Playground
At URBN Playground, decades of expertise in amenity programming, luxury hospitality service, and fitness and wellness come together to deliver soup-to-nuts full-service amenity management, design and space planning, technology, and staffing to residential and commercial real estate properties. A proprietary on-demand services app delivers cutting-edge tech to the end-user; while concierge services and best-in-class fitness programming keep communities engaged. Founded in 2016 by fitness guru and celebrity trainer Amy Blitz and hospitality veteran Jeremy Brutus, the firm’s 50-plus clients in New York City, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and Texas span a who’s who of real estate.
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Update on 111 Wall Street
Congratulations to our commercial client, Wafra Capital Partners and The Nightingale Group, on their progress transforming 111 Wall Street into a best-in-class commercial building in the Financial District with a $100 million renovation underway. URBN Playground is proud to be designing the commercial amenities. YIMBY has the update this month.
Congratulations to our commercial client, Wafra Capital Partners and The Nightingale Group, on their progress transforming 111 Wall Street into a best-in-class commercial building in the Financial District with a $100 million renovation underway. URBN Playground is proud to be designing the commercial amenities. YIMBY has the update this month.
Full-Service Luxury and Expansive Outdoor Space Lead Amenity Trends for 2022: URBN Playground Featured in Mansion Global
URBN Playground was featured in Mansion Global “Full-Service Luxury and Expansive Outdoor Space Lead Amenity Trends for 2022”. Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus discussed the direction of amenity trends and how they’ve shifted since the start of the pandemic.
URBN Playground was featured in Mansion Global: “Full-Service Luxury and Expansive Outdoor Space Lead Amenity Trends for 2022”. Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus discussed the direction of amenity trends and how they’ve shifted since the start of the pandemic. Not only are tenants placing a higher emphasis on service, they are also looking for a centralized location that accommodates their residential, hospitality (hotel) and corporate (business) needs.
The article explores what other trends to expect in the world of luxury amenities headed into 2022, including Full-Service Luxury, Event Programming and Hotel-Branded Services, Doubling Down on Health and Wellness, Outdoor Space Continues to Expand, Working From Home for the Long Haul, and Green Technology Enters a New Era.
You can read the full article at the link below:
Mansion Global: “Full-Service Luxury and Expansive Outdoor Space Lead Amenity Trends for 2022”
URBN Playground Recognized as Commercial Observer's 2021 Tenant Focused Innovation Award Honoree!
Commercial Observer recently named URBN Playground as the recipient of their Tenant Focused Innovation Award at the 3rd Annual Innovators Forum & Awards.
Commercial Observer recently named URBN Playground as the recipient of their Tenant Focused Innovation Award at the 3rd Annual Innovators Forum & Awards.
The 2021 Innovators Forum & Awards Reception was centered this year around unleashing the full potential of CRE, hearing from and connecting with the world’s preeminent leaders, and discovering how innovations and changes in the commercial real estate industry impact how we live, work and connect.
Commercial Observer’s full digital publication, with reference to our award, can be found here. URBN Playground was also featured on Commercial Observer’s LinkedIn.
URBN Playground has made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America!
Inc. magazine today revealed that URBN Playground is No. 1411 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.
Inc. magazine today revealed that URBN Playground is No. 1411 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses.
Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this year’s list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020’s unprecedented challenges. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2021.
Amy Blitz Selected to Crain's NY Notable Women Business Owners 2021
URBN Playground is incredibly honored to announce that Amy Blitz, Co-Founder, was selected to Crain’s New York Business 2021’s Notable Women Business Owners.
URBN Playground is incredibly honored to announce that Amy Blitz, Co-Founder, was selected to Crain’s New York Business 2021’s Notable Women Business Owners.
With its list of Notable Women Business Owners, Crain’s recognizes those who have forged their career paths and, in turn, powered the city’s economy. Women-owned companies represent more than 40% of all registered businesses in the city and generate more than $70 billion in revenue annually. The accomplishments of the women on these pages mirror a commitment by the city to support women-owned businesses.
You can read the full announcement at the link below:
URBN Playground Celebrates 5 Years in Business and the Expansion to Seven States in the Last 18 Months
Amenity Management, Design, and Concierge Tech Firm URBN Playground, One of NY Metro Area’s Fastest-Growing Companies After Just Five Years in Business, Expands to Seven States in Last 18 Months.
Amenity Management, Design, and Concierge Tech Firm URBN Playground, One of NY Metro Area’s Fastest-Growing Companies After Just Five Years in Business, Expands to Seven States in Last 18 Months.
NEW YORK – URBN Playground, which provides full-service amenity management, design, space planning, tech, and staffing to residential, multifamily, commercial, and hospitality properties around the United States, celebrated its fifth anniversary with 30 percent growth in number of projects this year already as the firm has been hired to provide amenity planning, design, staffing, and/or concierge technology to more condominiums, rentals, country clubs, and corporate flagship offices. Its client roster includes Hines Development, Extell Development, Toll Brothers, and many other real estate developers, landlords, corporations, and hospitality firms of all sizes.
The New York City-based firm, which ranked #29 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals List of fastest-growing companies for New York Metro, was founded by fitness guru Amy Blitz and concierge veteran Jeremy Brutus in May 2016. In the last 18 months, they have expanded from servicing primarily one state - New York - to seven states around the country, in part a result of its newly launched concierge on-demand app. Accomplished without any outside funding to service, URBN Playground has also made amenity programming accessible to every building – not just new development with physical spaces – through its concierge app connecting residents and tenants with programming and services at the touch of a button.
“We are proud of URBN Playground’s accomplishments these last five years and are excited and optimistic about the future of amenities, which we believe lies in exceptional service,” said Jeremy Brutus, co-founder, URBN Playground.
About URBN Playground
At URBN Playground, decades of expertise in amenity programming, luxury hospitality service, and fitness and wellness come together to deliver soup-to-nuts full-service amenity management, design and space planning, technology, and staffing to residential and commercial real estate properties. A proprietary on-demand services app delivers cutting-edge tech to the end-user; while concierge services and best-in-class fitness programming keep communities engaged. Founded in 2016 by fitness guru and celebrity trainer Amy Blitz and hospitality veteran Jeremy Brutus, the firm’s 50-plus clients in New York City, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and Texas span a who’s who of real estate.
Co-Working from Your Apartment Building: URBN Playground Featured in The New York Times
URBN Playground was featured in The New York Times “Co-Working from Your Apartment Building”. Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus discussed the shift in residential amenities to accommodate for work from home lifestyles of residents that will remain after the return to work. Lounge spaces, entertainment areas, and outdoor space have been repurposed to accommodate for residents looking for a work/live separation from their residential unit, and the spaces and thinking are here to stay.
URBN Playground was featured in The New York Times “Co-Working from Your Apartment Building”. Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus discussed the shift in residential amenities to accommodate for work from home lifestyles of residents that will remain after the return to work. Lounge spaces, entertainment areas, and outdoor space have been repurposed to accommodate for residents looking for a work/live separation from their residential unit, and the spaces and thinking are here to stay.
You can read the full article at the link below:
The New York Times: Co-Working from Your Apartment Building
How Millennials Are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices: URBN Playground Featured in Commercial Observer
URBN Playground’s Head of Built Design & Program, Jay Shafran, was featured in the Commercial Observer’s “How Millennials are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices”. Jay discusses how office amenities and improvements have been driven largely by competition between big corporations aiming for top talent.
URBN Playground’s Head of Built Design & Program, Jay Shafran, was featured in the Commercial Observer’s “How Millennials are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices”.
Jay discusses how office amenities and improvements have been driven largely by competition between big corporations aiming for top talent. Amenities have taken the forefront to encourage employees back to the office since the pandemic, and also to recruit the people who don’t work there yet. Jay also commented on the increasingly popular use of integration with mobile app platforms that allow tenants to book services like dry cleaning, iPhone repair, order food, or even call an elevator.
You can read the full article at the link below:
Commercial Observer: How Millennials are Reshaping Pandemic-Era Offices
URBN Playground Featured in Commercial Observer Tenant Talk
Jeremy Brutus, Co-Founder, and Jay Shafran, Head of Built Design & Program, were featured this morning in Commercial Observer’s Tenant Talk series, covering trends in tenant and workplace experience.
URBN Playground Execs on ‘Hyper-Amenitization’ for the Workplace
Jeremy Brutus, Co-Founder, and Jay Shafran, Head of Built Design & Program, were featured this morning in Commercial Observer’s Tenant Talk series, covering trends in tenant and workplace experience.
Jeremy and Jay discussed the hyper-amenitization across multiple industries including workplace and multi-family, the evolution of office design to include more services for workers, how the post-COVID office is increasing becoming a recruitment tool, and the convergence of modalities - the merging together of residential and corporate.
You can read the full article at the link below:
https://commercialobserver.com/2021/04/urbn-playground-office-amenities/
URBN Playground Featured in Bisnow Origin Stories
The Bisnow Origin Stories series delves into the myriad ways people enter the commercial real estate industry and what contributes to their success. URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus was featured this morning detailing his ambitions, the evolution of his career, and what has remained constant throughout.
Origin Stories: URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus On Diving Head-First Into Amenities
The Bisnow Origin Stories series delves into the myriad ways people enter the commercial real estate industry and what contributes to their success. URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus was featured this morning detailing his ambitions, the evolution of his career, and what has remained constant throughout.
From lifeguarding throughout college to the founding of URBN Playground, the article details Jeremy’s full journey throughout his career. His initial job in CRE was at the Peninsula Hotel in NYC, which sparked his passion for hospitality, service and building community, which continues to be the mission we pursue day-in and day-out at URBN Playground.
You can read the full article at the link below:
Origin Stories: URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus On Diving Head-First Into Amenities
URBN Playground Ranked #29 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals List for New York Metro
We are incredibly excited and humbled to announce that URBN Playground has been selected to the Inc. 5000 Regional list of the fastest-growing private companies in the New York metro region.
We are incredibly excited and humbled to announce that URBN Playground has been selected to the Inc. 5000 Regional list of the fastest-growing private companies in the New York metro region. Not only are we celebrating our admission to the list, but we are also incredibly honored to be ranked as #29!
Inc. magazine today revealed that URBN Playground is No. 29 on its second annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: New York City Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing New York City area-based private companies. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the NYC area economy’s most dynamic segments - its independent small businesses.
“This list proves the power of companies in the New York City area no matter the industry,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “The impressive revenues and growth rates prove the insight and diligence of CEOs and that these businesses are here to stay.”
Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: NYC Metro area, including company profiles and an interactive database, can be found at: https://www.inc.com/inc5000/regionals/new-york.
More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals
Methodology
The 2021 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2017 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
About Inc. Media
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
This International Women’s Day, We #ChooseToChallenge
This International Women’s Day, URBN Playground’s co-founders reflect on the progress of women in real estate and the company’s efforts to support women in the industry, while celebrating the strong, accomplished women making a difference at URBN Playground.
This International Women’s Day, URBN Playground’s co-founders reflect on the progress of women in real estate and the company’s efforts to support women in the industry, while celebrating the strong, accomplished women making a difference at URBN Playground.
The state of women in real estate
According to a 2019 report by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), women make up a sizable percentage of the commercial real estate workforce in the US. They hold 54 percent of mid-level and senior positions in the industry.
However, as we look further up the ladder, that percentage dips to just 27 percent for the ranks of SVP, managing director, and partner level positions. In C-suite positions, women only account for 9 percent of such roles.
In another study by the Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, women make up 25 percent of the membership of the real estate and land use organization. But they only account for 14 percent of its CEOs.
This gender gap starts even before women enter the workforce. Approximately 73 percent of real estate related degrees (undergraduate and graduate) are obtained by men.
Similar to other industries, women account for over half of the overall workforce, but hold lower-level, administrative and clerical roles. Meanwhile, their higher-educated male peers receive promotions and growth opportunities that ultimately translate into the gender wage gap we see today.
Women in commercial real estate (CRE) earn 23.3 percent less than men. This is higher than the US national average gender wage gap of 18 percent.
“Overall, women are underrepresented in our field and the onus to level this playing field and open doors is on the leadership of the industry at every level,” says Jeremy Brutus, Co-Founder and President of URBN playground.
“Over the years, I have seen more women in management positions in commercial real estate,” adds Amy Blitz, Co-Founder of URBN Playground. “However, it's still considered a male-dominated industry, especially when it comes to ownership and real decision makers.”
The case for closing the gender gap
Yet there are significant incentives for companies to close this wage and leadership gap.
According to the same CREW report mentioned above:
Companies in the top 25 percent for gender diversity are 15 percent more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians.
Innovation is six times higher at companies with the most equal workplace cultures.
Changing board composition to include 30 percent female representation could add up to six percentage points to a company’s net margin.
“I think that having strong women leading our team at URBN is the reason we are successful!” adds Jeremy.
“The statistics just underscore this. And many organizations are trying to change, but this is a systemic challenge. The important thing is coming together for awareness and setting initiatives to ensure change as an organization. This includes ensuring female staff are supported both at work and at home - and opening up doors for them at the very top levels. In this way, URBN Playground is ahead of most. We realize our obligation, we understand there is more to do and we take it seriously.”
We #ChooseToChallenge the status quo for women in CRE
At URBN Playground, in line with the 2021 theme for International Women’s Day, we continue to #ChooseToChallenge this status quo for women in CRE.
Since UBRN Playground was established by our co-founders, Jeremy and Amy, strong female leadership and a diverse team has been part and parcel of our culture and identity.
Currently, our leadership team is 60 percent women, and that same percentage is seen across our staff overall.
“We are proud to say our President is a woman, our Head of Marketing and Product is a woman, and our Chief Technology Officer is as well,” says Jeremy. “This also precipitates a flow throughout the organization and represents itself in our hiring, initiatives, and diversity. With regards to the gender gap seen on average in our industry, we can with confidence say that is not true in any way, shape or form, at URBN Playground.”
Recently, we nominated one of our female team members, Anacelle Bautista, for Real Estate Weekly’s annual 2020 “Rising Stars” list. Anacelle is not only a woman, but a person of color in an industry that is largely dominated by white men at the very top levels.
“We’re incredibly proud to say that not only did Anacelle win, but aside from her win, she has been consistently delivering value to our team, overseeing our efforts to shift to digital in the pandemic, resulting in an amenity tech platform rolled out to more than 13,000 apartment units,” emphasizes Jeremy.
He adds another anecdote: “A recent hire expressed that she was struck by how open URBN was and by how diverse an organization we are, and that she had never worked with a firm with this level of diversity before.”
What’s next for URBN Playground in supporting women in the industry? Looking forward, Amy explains, “I'd love to be able to offer leadership/management development opportunities to all of our employees so they can continue to grow with us. Currently, I hope that our junior employees who see me as the co-owner and observe our women-dominated leader team in action will feel inspired in their own careers, to chart new paths that go beyond the status quo.”
If you are interested to work with or for a company that is making a difference in the real estate industry by championing diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level, visit our website to learn more about what we offer, and get in touch with us.
URBN Playground Releases Newest Version of Concierge App
URBN Playground recently unveiled the newest version of our app, available on iOS and Android devices, bringing technology to buildings that seek concierge software and service.
URBN Playground recently unveiled the newest version of our app, available on iOS and Android devices, bringing technology to buildings that seek concierge software and service.
URBN’s app brings services like housekeeping; fitness programming, classes, and personal training; amenity space bookings; grocery shopping; dry cleaning; dog walking and pet sitting; and hair and beauty services to residents with the touch of a button. It also introduces services including interior design and nutrition and meal planning, which were recurring requests last year at the properties we service.
The URBN app was built in-house, based on feedback from the community it serves – real estate developers, landlords, brokers and marketers, and without raising any outside capital -- another feat in the space. URBN Playground also recently expanded our customer success department to provide optimal service for our clients and users.
New and expanded features, culled from surveys of users as well as developers and sales and marketing firms supporting real estate developments, include:
Adaptive display based on personalized favorites and what’s new
Enhanced communication and chat features
Improved notifications and announcements
Improved transparency and options for payments and receipts
Enhanced amenity scheduling according to health screening guidelines
For more information, please contact us at hello@urbnplayground.com.
Designing & Evolving Amenity Spaces for Experience
URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus was featured on Mission Matters. In this Mission Matters podcast episode, Jeremy and Adam Torres explore the evolution of amenity spaces and how URBN Playground provides a unique experience for its tenants and property owners.
URBN Playground Co-Founder Jeremy Brutus was featured on Mission Matters.
Amenity spaces are providing opportunity for many residents and property owners. In this Mission Matters podcast episode, Jeremy and Adam Torres explore the evolution of amenity spaces and how URBN Playground provides a unique experience for its tenants and property owners. The Mission Matters business podcast is dedicated to entrepreneurship and sharing stories from founders on how their businesses are making an impact.
You can listen to the full podcast episode at the link below:
2020 Year in Review
During this year, at URBN Playground, our number one priority has been keeping our communities safe - from our customers and residents to our staff, including all our frontliners, the heroes behind the scenes who keep things running safely and smoothly even as the pandemic persists.
2020 has been a year unlike no other. We saw how quickly Covid-19 turned the world upside down, and grieved the loss of normality as lockdowns forced us to stay inside. We canceled our travel plans, found new ways to keep ourselves entertained indoors, developed a newfound appreciation for nature, tried to stay sane amid the uncertainty, and missed our friends and loved ones.
During this year, at URBN Playground, our number one priority has been keeping our communities safe - from our customers and residents to our staff, including all our frontliners, the heroes behind the scenes who keep things running safely and smoothly even as the pandemic persists.
In the middle of the challenges this year brought, we’ve also seen a few bright spots amid the turbulence that has been 2020. As we look back on the year, we’d like to share some of our proudest moments - and to say a big thank you to our communities, friends, and partners for being part of this journey with us, and for trusting us.
Launch of URBN Playground App
Covid-19 has shown us how integral technology is to our daily lives. In early 2020, we officially launched our proprietary white-label concierge and service booking app, allowing residents of a building to easily book housekeeping, delivery, or fitness and lifestyle services ranging from personal training to cleaning, dog walking, and laundry services - all at the tap of a button.
To date, the app has been rolled out in over 60 buildings across the United States. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the app allowed for pre-programmed limitations on headcount to be set for booking fitness services, to comply with social distancing regulations.
Launch of URBN Burn Fitness Program
To provide customers with the flexibility to work out at their convenience, since last year, we began investing into producing high quality fitness training videos as part of a digital workout program. This became especially relevant during COVID-19 to help residents stay fit during the pandemic. During lockdowns, we decided to offer a portion of URBN Burn programming free of charge to all customers via Instagram Live and video recordings made available on the URBN Playground website - and this programming is still freely available on our IGTV.
Expansion into Texas, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina
In 2020, we expanded our reach beyond the Tri-State Region to launch services in new cities including Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, North Carolina, Austin, and Houston. Beyond the residential market, URBN Playground also expanded its service offerings into commercial, corporate, hotel, and spa services.
Growing our Presence by 7X
Last December, we had employees in one state. Today, we have them in seven states including the markets mentioned above. We’re excited as the URBN team grows and we’re grateful to be working with an amazing team of frontliners delivering convenience as luxury as a service!
Feature in the Jefferies Fitness & Wellness Summit
In the fall of 2020, we were invited to the Jefferies Fitness and Wellness Summit to showcase our URBN Playground proprietary concierge app as part of notable emerging technologies for the Multifamily and wellness space.
Successfully Helping Existing and New Customers React to and Navigate the Epidemic
During these changing times, we have adapted and continue to make great strides for our users and residents - it’s not simply doing grocery shopping for them, it’s being on the forefront and edge of the guidelines and operations related to service and hospitality.
We have had near zero Covid-19 cases related to our service models, because of our progressive approach in partnering with our team. We’ve provided our staff with masks, gloves and sanitizer not only on the job, but also for them to freely take home, keeping them safe beyond the workplace. We’ve increased wages for frontline workers by 15% for numerous months, to help our team afford the increased living expenses during this time.
We have pivoted our business to support our clients through transitions due to COVID-19. We have remained a resource for consultation as we have been involved with following CDC regulations and guidelines in reopening amenity spaces in many of our properties across the nation. We have been able to provide invaluable insight to many property owners and managers on what has worked or not worked in other buildings/cities. Additionally, we have been influential in working with lobby groups to provide resources to reopen amenities safely.
Selection as part of GlobeSt's Multifamily Influencers
In October, we were selected to GlobeSt's Multifamily Influencers list. The list focuses on highlighting experts in the multifamily industry who have exemplified skill and wisdom throughout the year. The 2020 list had an emphasis on how honorees have pivoted to serve clients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have contributed to the multifamily community throughout the past year. As a company with a direct impact on the lives of our clients, we are humbled to have received this recognition in result of our efforts over the past year.
Double Feature in The New York Times
In September, URBN Playground co-founder Jeremy Brutus was interviewed in the New York Times discussing “How the Pandemic Has Changed Apartment Building Amenities”. Jeremy highlighted the importance of focusing on residents and their needs in the buildings that we manage.
Since the onset of the pandemic, URBN Playground has focused on pivoting and evolving our services to accommodate the needs of residents. This has included modifying space allocation within buildings with our partners, rolling out technology scheduling capabilities for amenity spaces, launching virtual programming including fitness and events, and deploying software for symptom questionnaires and contact tracing. Read the full article here: New York Times: How the Pandemic Has Changed Apartment Building Amenities
In December, we had the opportunity to share our perspective with the New York Times again, on how we were helping residents across 15 New York City properties make sure they didn’t miss their favorite holiday traditions. “This year we want to create as much normalcy for families,” said Jeremy in the article “Still at Home for the Holidays”.
New Opportunities on the Horizon
We have also won new opportunities that we are currently working on, including the development of over 125,000 square feet of amenities space, as well as the development of our first fully-integrated properties, from space development, to operations and technology.
We are honored and privileged to be able to continue serving our customers and communities, and to be recognized for the work we’re doing in setting standards and best practices for safe building and amenity operations amid challenging conditions.
Onwards to New Beginnings...
As we say goodbye to 2020 and usher in 2021, we want to take the time to say thank you for being on this journey with us. We look forward to continuing to partner with you to achieve greater heights and new innovations in our service model and delivery, and to continue to keep our customers safe while providing high-touch luxury service.
Still at Home for the Holidays
URBN Playground was featured in the New York Times this morning in their article, “Still at Home for the Holidays” by Alison Krueger. Many of our residents are looking to create new traditions at home while not traveling or visiting family for the holidays. URBN Playground was included in the article with some of the unique offerings we have created for our residents during these challenging times.
URBN Playground Featured in The New York Times
URBN Playground was featured in The New York Times this morning in their article, “Still at Home for the Holidays” by Alison Krueger. Many of our residents are looking to create new traditions at home while not traveling or visiting family for the holidays. URBN Playground was included in the article with some of the unique offerings we have created for our residents during these challenging times. We have desired to create as much normalcy for families as we can, and have incorporated holiday traditions into our programming, including a virtual Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony and COVID-19-friendly visits from Santa.
You can read the full article here:
Please reach out to us at hello@urbnplayground.com if you would like to discuss how we have found solutions for our clients amidst the pandemic. We are at your service.
URBN Playground Selected to GlobeSt's Multifamily Influencers
URBN Playground is honored to be selected to GlobeSt’s Multifamily Influencers for 2020. The list focuses on highlighting experts in the multifamily industry who have exemplified skill and wisdom throughout the year. The 2020 list had an emphasis on how honorees have pivoted to serve clients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have contributed to the multifamily community throughout the past year.
URBN Playground is honored to be selected to GlobeSt’s Multifamily Influencers for 2020. The list focuses on highlighting experts in the multifamily industry who have exemplified skill and wisdom throughout the year. The 2020 list had an emphasis on how honorees have pivoted to serve clients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have contributed to the multifamily community throughout the past year.
As a company with a direct impact to the lives of our clients, we are humbled to have received this recognition in result of our efforts over the past year. What drives us is our passion for connecting people to other people. Our approach to amenity management and lifestyle design is built around creating connection and community - within cities, neighborhoods, and buildings.
You can read the full article at the link below:
Founded in 2016, URBN Playground is a full-service hospitality management and technology firm headquartered in New York City, and is built on its co-founders’ passion for putting the human touch into amenity management. URBN Playground focuses on designing and delivering curated experiences, lifestyles, and moments that build connection and community – within cities, neighborhoods, and buildings.