About — Saul Urban

The Opportunity

America has a housing supply crisis. With a shortage estimated at upwards of seven million units and an estimated cost of $250,000 per unit to build, this represents a staggering two trillion-dollar housing problem — without any viable solution.

As the gap between supply and demand for affordable housing continues to widen, the urgency for innovative solutions is critical. Saul Urban delivers.

This shortage is drawing attention from communities, policymakers and investors as families struggle to find stable, secure housing.

Amidst these challenges lies unprecedented opportunity. The aftermath of COVID-19 has left a surplus of underutilized or obsolete properties ripe for transformation into much-needed workforce housing.

By addressing a critical societal need, we are making a positive impact on individuals and communities across the country.

Photo Courtesy Pete Marovich, The Washington Post

From the Founder

At the age of fifteen, I entered a construction site, immersing myself in the family business. Those early days sparked my passion for real estate and development. The creativity, camaraderie, and impact on neighborhoods resonated deeply. Over the years, I honed my acumen, and now at Saul Urban, I’ve brought together a skilled team who are aligned with my drive to leverage real estate for positive, impactful change.

Witnessing the distress in the hospitality and office markets caused by the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to revitalize communities nationwide. Collaborating with leaders in cities like Washington, DC, Cincinnati, suburban Philadelphia, and Roanoke, VA we’re reimagining urban landscapes. It’s thrilling to breathe new life into forgotten corners, creating vibrant hubs of opportunity for America’s workforce. Join Saul Urban's mission in transforming communities, one building at a time.

— Frank Saul, Founder & CEO

A Distinguished Family Heritage of Improving Our Nation’s Communities

1851

John Saul, a distinguished horticulturist, arrives in Washington, DC from Ireland at the request of Andrew Jackson Downing, the renowned Capital landscape architect, to take over the planning and development of the Mall and other public areas in the emerging capital city.
1892

At the age of 19, John Saul’s son, B. Francis Saul, founds Saul Company in Washington, DC. Today, Saul Company continues to be a privately-held, premier real estate development and management firm.
1991

Frank Saul formally joins the family business as the fourth generation of Sauls focusing on acquisitions and development.
1993

Saul Centers REIT, a NYSE-listed entity, is established specializing in grocery-anchored community shopping centers. Frank serves as President from 2005-2012.
2008

Frank Saul leads Saul Centers into large-scale, mixed-use urban apartment developments.
2013

Frank Saul founds Saul Urban to focus on innovative housing. Since its inception, Saul Urban has continued Frank’s history of transforming landmark historic projects into award-winning investments.
2022

Saul Urban launches its inaugural fund, Lodging to Living, to help solve America’s middle income housing shortage.
Today

Our award-winning accomplishments have led to a pioneering business model for creating workforce housing from adaptive reuse of underutilized properties.