Business Details
9 Years
experience
Award-Winning Real Estate Development Services in Cambridge
Urban Spaces is a distinguished real estate development company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to transforming urban landscapes through innovative mid-sized residential and commercial projects. Our strategic focus on urban infill locations near public transportation, universities, and employment hubs ensures sustainable growth and community impact. With an entrepreneurial approach, we tackle complex deals creatively and tenaciously, leveraging two decades of collective expertise to achieve exceptional results. Our team combines architectural precision, financial acumen, and operational excellence to deliver projects that blend historic context with modern living.From Salems BRIX condominiums to Cambridges mixed-use developments, we prioritize design integrity, functionality, and long-term value. Our commitment to quality is reflected in pre-sold units, partnerships with renowned architects, and amenities that enhance urban lifestyles. As industry leaders, we balance development excellence with community stewardship, ensuring each project contributes meaningfully to its environment.
Services
Residential Development
Commercial Development
Mixed-Use Projects
Urban Infill Development
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We focus on strategic downtown projects with unique characteristics.
- Our team combines 25+ years of urban development expertise.
- We execute complex deals using creative, flexible approaches.
- Our projects deliver exceptional returns through meticulous planning.
- We achieve transformational results for communities we serve.
Services
Residential Development
We specialize in creating sophisticated urban residences that balance modern living with community integration. Our projects feature amenities like fitness studios, pet spas, and roof terraces while maintaining architectural harmony with historic surroundings. Each development emphasizes proximity to transit and urban conveniences, delivering homes that combine functionality with aesthetic value.
Commercial Development
Our commercial projects provide 3,000+ sq ft of retail and restaurant space in high-traffic urban locations. Designed to complement residential components, these spaces offer visibility and accessibility in mixed-use environments. We ensure commercial areas integrate seamlessly with surrounding infrastructure while maintaining structural and design excellence.
Mixed-Use Projects
We develop integrated properties combining residential and commercial elements in urban infill locations. Projects like BRIX feature condominiums with adjacent retail spaces, creating vibrant community hubs. Our approach prioritizes architectural cohesion, functional design, and sustainable urban growth across all mixed-use developments.
Urban Infill Development
We transform underutilized urban spaces into valuable properties near transit hubs and employment centers. Our developments maintain historic context while introducing modern infrastructure, enhancing neighborhood value without displacing existing community assets. This specialty area requires navigating complex zoning and permitting processes.
Project Management
Our executive team implements infrastructure and processes for large-scale project execution. We manage permitting, design, construction coordination, and financial analysis for multimillion-dollar budgets. With licensed architects and engineers on staff, we ensure technical precision and operational excellence throughout each project lifecycle.
People
Paul Ognibene
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Ognibene sets Urban Spaces' vision and oversees executive operations, including client relationships and multimillion-dollar budgets. He holds a BA in economics from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Dave Notter
Chief Operating Officer
Dave Notter manages project and asset management activities, developing infrastructure to support company growth. He earned a BS in finance from Boston College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Jeff Hirsch
Vice President of Operations
Jeff Hirsch oversees daily project operations with 25+ years of experience. A licensed architect and contractor, he earned a BA in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University.
Skip Rose
Director of Construction
Skip Rose coordinates construction activities with 25+ years of engineering expertise. He earned a physics degree from Binghamton University and ensures technical precision in all project implementations.
Jack Giles
Partner
Jack Giles serves as Urban Spaces partner and advisory board member for multiple national organizations. He actively invests in real estate projects across Cambridge, Boston, Dallas, and San Diego markets.
Questions
What types of projects does Urban Spaces develop?
We focus on mid-sized residential and commercial projects in urban infill locations, including mixed-use developments that combine housing with retail spaces.
Where does Urban Spaces operate?
Our primary focus areas include Cambridge, Boston, and Salem, Massachusetts, with recent projects expanding to Reading, Dallas, and San Diego markets.
What makes Urban Spaces different from other developers?
We combine entrepreneurial agility with 25+ years of collective experience, executing complex deals through creative approaches while maintaining architectural integrity with historic contexts.
Can I visit a completed Urban Spaces project?
Yes - the model unit at our BRIX condominium building in Salem, Massachusetts is currently open for viewing.
How does Urban Spaces approach sustainability?
We focus on urban infill projects that maximize existing infrastructure, designing energy-efficient buildings that blend with historic surroundings while meeting modern sustainability standards.
