We are a privately owned Real Estate Development Firm with a ‘Path of Progress’ Investment theme. We apply a long-term perspective in anticipating trends that will drive where Seattle is heading over the next several decades.
Our Company is intensely focused on urban areas as the engines for growth and change and is committed to creating a vital, vibrant, and compelling future for Seattle. The principles underlying this vision are sustainable development, smart growth, increased density, and transformational place-making.
This passion and belief in Seattle stems from multiple generations of the Smith family, which have been involved in Seattle commercial real estate and Politics for over 150 years.
Our team embeds itself into the fabric of Seattle; we engage with key stakeholders and assume leadership roles in shaping land use and development patterns throughout key neighborhoods within the City.
With a philosophy of “Build Up, Not Out”, we believe that what’s good for the environment is also good for business. We are a pro-density firm committed to implementing sustainable, high-performance practices into all of our buildings, and we assemble world class project teams to accomplish this objective.
We have studied progressive global cities – Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Malmö (Sweden), New York, Sydney and Vancouver, B.C. to name a few – to learn how they address planning and design challenges. Our teams bring these lessons learned back to Seattle and into our investments.
For both office and residential environments, the health and wellness outcomes of green building practices are well documented, and by prudently incorporating these technologies into the design and development process, one can create immense value for both the Owner and the User.
As the founder and CEO of Urban Visions, Greg oversees the strategy, direction, and value creation for the firm’s portfolio. A fifth-generation Seattleite, Greg has over 40 years of industry experience and has formed more than 30 ventures with value in excess of $2 Billion. Notable past projects include Millennium Tower at 2nd and Columbia, West Edge Apartments at 2nd and Pike, and 200 Occidental in Pioneer Square which now serves as Weyerhaeuser’s world headquarters. Current projects include: The Net, https://thenetseattle.com an 800,000 SF high-rise office tower; S, https://s-seattle.com a 1.3 million SF six-building life science campus; and The Jack, http://thejackseattle.com a 145,000 SF office building located along Seattle’s new waterfront in Pioneer Square. Fundamental to Greg’s projects past and present is a commitment to smart growth principles, sustainable development, and community involvement.
Prior to forming Urban Visions, Smith was an owner/Principal at Martin Smith Inc., and the Founder/President of MSI’s development subsidiary, Martin Smith Development Corporation.
A respected leader and frequent speaker in the community, Greg is embedded in the fabric of Seattle real estate. He is known for his strong engagement with key stakeholders as well as leadership roles in shaping land use and development patterns throughout key neighborhoods in Seattle.
Urban Visions: Urban Visions is a progressive, privately held real estate development and brokerage company leading the way to redesign and revitalize downtown Seattle.
Todd is the firm’s Executive Vice President. He has over 30-years’ experience in the building industry. Todd is a ‘native’ Seattleite and moved to Seattle back in 1972 when the billboard, ‘The last one to leave Seattle turn off the lights’ was situated along I-5.
Todd graduated with a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of Washington in 1989 and joined Sellen Construction as a Project Engineer. Over a 28-year career at Sellen, he oversaw many iconic projects in the Northwest including Swedish Issaquah, a 600K SF downtown high-rise, UW Foster School of Business, Paccar Business School, and UW Medicine South Lake Union.
As a longtime Seattle area resident, Todd enjoys many Northwest activities such as skiing, golf, fly fishing, and hiking. He spends a lot of time at his home in Suncadia with his wife and two children. And, of course, his best friends, a pair of Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Michael joined the Urban Visions team in 2009 as the firm’s Controller, and has since assumed the role of VP of Finance and Operations. He graduated from the Business School at the University of Washington with an emphasis in Accounting. Michael keeps everyone on track at Urban Visions with the many hats that he wears.
Michael is a third generation Seattleite. During his free time, Michael enjoys outdoor activities like fly fishing, skiing, running and golf.
Salone is the Vice President of Development at Urban Visions and a licensed architect with over 25 years of industry experience. Practice in both fields has given her the expertise of managing and delivering projects using an integrated approach. She has overseen several projects through entitlements and design and construction including new projects and renovation of existing ones. The project types include high-rise commercial, mid/low-rise, market-rate, and low-income multi-family. As a project architect, she worked on multi-family housing, senior housing, and hospitality projects.
Her professional commitments have involved serving several industry organizations including four years on the Seattle Design Review Board (Northeast Board); course instructor for five years for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) teaching Architect’s Licensing Exam courses; Design Fellow with Architecture for Humanity (AFH) where she consulted for Rumi Schools in Hyderabad, India; and member of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Management Practices in Construction.
A graduate of the University of Washington, she holds a Master of Science in construction management and a Bachelor of Arts in architecture. Having moved from India roughly 30 years ago, Seattle is home to her. She loves to travel, enjoys good food, and being active outdoors with her son and dog.
Sean is a Sr Development Manager for the firm with 17 years of experience in the building industry. Sean is a 4th generation Seattle area resident so of course his Construction Management degree was from… you guessed it, University of Washington.
Sean has managed the construction for many buildings over the years including the 40 story West Edge Apartment Tower, MOHAI, Seattle Children’s Hospital Expansion, 1100 Eastlake Office Building and Olympic Sculpture Park to name a few.
In his spare time, Sean’s favorite activity is ice hockey. In his younger years, Sean was the captain of the UW club hockey team and before that played a season of junior hockey in Alaska, but now he enjoys the local recreation leagues.
Scott is a Senior Development Manager for The Firm with over 18 years of experience in the design and construction fields. He specializes in the development of mixed-use buildings with a focus on activated, transit-oriented, sustainable projects. With experience as both a licensed landscape architect and development manager, Scott brings a thorough understanding of not only the built environment but the process of engaging integrated teams that make large development projects a success.
Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon, and a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate from the University of Washington. He currently sits on the Southwest Seattle Design Review Board and is an active member in both NAIOP and The Belden Club, where he was previously President.
Originally from Atlanta, Scott now calls the Northwest home. He is active in his West Seattle neighborhood where he can be found enjoying the outdoors, digging in the garden, and playing sports with his wife and three sons.
Dan joined Urban Visions as Development Manager in 2021. He brings over a decade of experience in real estate development, construction and operations with a broad background working on various product types including multi-family, office, retail, data center and industrial.
Dan is a sixth generation Seattleite with a deep family history in Seattle and across Washington State. He earned his degree from the University of Washington where he studied at the College of Built Environments.
When not in the office, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and son taking advantage of all the outdoor opportunities the Puget Sound area has to offer including fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.
Matt joined Urban Visions in 2018 as the company’s Property Accountant. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from The University of Montana, Matt gained over eight years of accounting experience spanning multiple industries from retail to the private sector. He has worked in residential property management and condo association management in Seattle and Bellevue. Most recently, Matt worked as the accountant for a Seattle coffee shop comprised of 13 locations and 125 employees.
Matt is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. He moved to Seattle in 2008 after finishing his degree in Missoula, Montana. He is an avid musician and spends most of his time outside of work in his home studio or at concerts in the city. He and his wife love traveling and are always looking for their next adventure.
Jordon Ganong joined the Urban Visions team in 2019 as the company’s Investment Analyst. Jordon assists in identifying development and investment opportunities, financial analysis, feasibility studies, capitalization and financing efforts, leasing, and dispositions.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Jordon now calls Seattle his home. Jordon enjoys taking advantage of all the activities the PNW has to offer. His favorites are skiing, fly fishing, hiking, and biking.
Jordon graduated from the University of Denver in 2019 with a B.S. in Real Estate and the Built Environment and a concentration in development and finance.
Born and raised in Southern California, Armando joined the military in 2000 right out of high school, moved to Washington state in 2003 and immediately fell for the greenscape and the Seattle sky line.
He completed military courses at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in South Carolina. Knowledgeable in nuclear theory, physics, electrical theory, welding, chemistry, radiological controls, heat transfer, fluid flow, quality control, industrial coatings and various operational processes, Armando contributed to the operation and first-time quality repairs of multi-billion dollar US strategic assets.
In addition to 8 years of specialty skilled military service, Armando brings over 10 years of building engineering experience. He is well versed in various building systems, both old and new. He has assisted in LEED certifications for multiple buildings, and continuously trained and mentored new personnel in all aspects of building engineering.
Armando’s hobbies include spending time with his family (wife, 3 kids, and a dog), cooking, playing outdoors, home repairs, automotive repair, and metal working.
A Vision Based on Tradition.
West Edge construction completes in February 2018 - residents begin moving in April 2018.
200 Occidental construction completes on time; Weyerhaeuser moves into building.
A prominent development site in Pioneer Square, 74 S Jackson, acquired in July 2016.
The Liberty Building redevelopment, home to the Hard Rock Cafe, is sold to a New York investment firm in May 2016.
Major partnership with Mitsui Fudosan announced for Urban Visions' West Edge project.
West Edge tower construction begins in late 2015.
Construction commences in March of 2015 on the 200 Occidental office building.
Weyerhaeuser announces its pre-leased 100% of 200 Occidental, Urban Visions 8-story 215,000 SF office/retail development in Pioneer Square.
The Chromer Building, former home of Amazon, is acquired for future development opportunity.
The Reedo Building, a 100% credit tenant leased office/retail building in the heart of Pioneer Square, is sold.
The Washington State Department of Transportation acquires Phase 2 of the Stadium West development site.
The Liberty Building renovation finishes in 2008. The 18,500 SF retail structure, adjacent to the Pike Place Market, is 100% leased to The Hardrock Café.
The Washington State Department of Transportation acquires Stadium West Phase 1, a 1MM campus development site.
Construction of The Reedo Building, a 60,000 office building in Pioneer Square, finishes in 2006. Starbucks Corporation leases and occupies the project at completion.
Development begins on Fifth & Madison, a 25-story, 127 unit condominium tower in the CBD.
The strategic renovation and repositioning of the 901 5th Avenue office tower begins in 2004. The underutilized office tower and its antiquated equipment are completely retrofit with high performance building systems. LEED silver certification was also obtained for the building (one of the first LEED certified structures in the City).
Millenium Tower office building sells to Metzler North America for a record $324 per square foot.
The fully entitled IDX Tower site is sold to Hines.
Ground breaking occurs on the $69 million Millennium Tower project. The 237,000 SF project is completed in 2000 and leased to exclusive users such as Goldman Sachs, Voyagor Capital, and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.
Greg brokers the sale of US Bank Centre to Bentall Corp.
Greg founds Martin Smith Development Corporation, serving as President & CEO. The firm aggressively pursues development and redevelopment opportunities around the region.
Greg Smith begins working with his father at Martin Smith Inc.
Martin Smith leaves Henry Broderick to form his own 3rd party property management firm, Martin Smith Inc.
Leonard P. Smith, serves as the 12th mayor of Seattle.
1868: Norwegian immigrants Hans Martin Hansen, and his brother-in-law Knute Olsen, arrive in West Seattle. They purchase Alki Point from David S. “Doc” Maynard.
