Community Involvement
We believe it is essential to remain an active contributor in our developments, even after we are done with the building phase.
We make sure we are present with the people who matter – the local community – to understand their needs and to create purpose in place.
Incorporating positive social and environmental impacts that survive the life of our projects is a core philosophy at NRI and a cornerstone of our business. Historically, we have implemented social and environmental elements in our communities that are further reaching than the core investment itself.
NRI produced the documentary Graceful Voices with the goal of capturing, preserving, and sharing the stories of the MacFarlane Homestead and Golden Gate Community, which are vital to the legacy of Coral Gables. The nationally recognized, historic film was aired on PBS and brought to light the importance of a forgotten community within the city. The stories, told by the women who grew up there and continue to live there today, connect us with the true spirit of the community.
While renovating the iconic Burch Building, NRI commissioned a large-scale, exterior art installation during the construction phase of the project. The Burch Building is located at the nexus of Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill and Wedge neighborhoods just blocks south of the Walker Art Center and provides unprecedented visibility at the intersection of Hennepin and Franklin Avenues. The goal of the installation was to feature and support local artists while providing public access to art during the exterior renovation of one of the most well-known small commercial buildings in Minneapolis.
NRI is committed to improving the Coral Gables community by transforming the gateway along South Dixie Highway into a vibrant, purpose-built destination. Brent Reynolds, CEO and Managing Partner of NRI, discussed the major Transit Oriented Developments the company is building along the corridor and how the projects will reduce traffic congestion and sprawl while simultaneously increasing metro ridership and encouraging the development of additional walkable and bikeable communities.
Two of our projects have received Transit Oriented Development Certification.
As part of the West 38 Master-Planned Development, NRI worked with the City of Gainesville to create a 44-acre nature reserve in the heart of the city’s west side. Rather than maintaining the land for watershed credits, we created a concept that allows the city to preserve the area for a bio-reserve and future educational park which will be utilized by the University and the surrounding community. The inclusion of this “green amenity” paved the way for other master-planned communities within the city to consider a larger, social component as part of their project.
NRI is a member and avid supporter of The Coral Gables Community Foundation which provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. Now in its 27th year, the Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to “The City Beautiful.”
NRI is proud to support the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in their mission to inspire hope and promote lifelong health by providing the best care to every child.
When Storm Nate hit the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica in October 2017, it damaged the infrastructure of the local communities that Casa Chameleon Hotels calls home. NRI was passionately committed to supporting the clean-up efforts and donated a portion of each room night to CEPIA, a Costa Rican non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for families from underprivileged backgrounds by promoting cultural development, educational opportunities, physical and mental health, and social cohesion and participation.
NRI is proud to support Lundstrum Performing Arts in their mission to cultivate a love and knowledge of the performing arts so that young people will discover their unique gifts, develop their depth of character, and imagine new possibilities for their lives. Located in north Minneapolis, Lundstrum Performing Arts supports young people from diverse backgrounds and ensures access for all through their scholarship program.
As friends of The Underline and a member of its Board of Directors, NRI is excited to be part of the transformation of the land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and living art destination. The Underline will create a safer, healthier, more engaged community and will connect people to place and each other.