Aquino
Under constructionGroundbreaking took place in September 2025, and vertical construction is underway.
About Urban Catalyst
A private equity real estate firm and developer with real projects, real momentum and a single-market focus.
Urban Catalyst develops and manages private equity real estate strategies in downtown San Jose, pairing fund management with on-the-ground execution across housing, hospitality, office and retail.




Our story
Urban Catalyst was founded in 2018 as Opportunity Zones created a new framework for long-term private investment. The firm focused where the team already had deep development experience: downtown San Jose, the urban core of Silicon Valley.
Today, Urban Catalyst operates as both developer and fund manager, creating a direct link between underwriting, entitlements, construction, capital strategy and investor stewardship.
That model gives Urban Catalyst control over the parts of the process that matter most, from sourcing the right sites through delivering the finished asset and communicating with investors along the way.



Project portfolio
Urban Catalyst's portfolio spans multifamily, hospitality, office, retail and student housing. Completed projects use exterior photography and future projects use current renderings.
View the full portfolio
Groundbreaking took place in September 2025, and vertical construction is underway.
Planning permit approved for this transit-oriented multifamily project near future BART and VTA light rail access.
Planning permit approved for the 276-unit multifamily project, which will complement the adjacent Aquino development.
Planning permit approved for the multifamily project converted from the previously entitled office use.
Construction was completed in April 2025, and the hotel is now open for business.
Completed adaptive reuse of the former theater into office and retail space with Urban Putt and Eos & Nyx as tenants.
Planning permit approved for the student housing tower less than one block from San Jose State University.
Proven track record
Urban Catalyst has sponsored Opportunity Zone funds and traditional private equity real estate strategies while advancing a downtown San Jose portfolio spanning multifamily, hospitality, office and retail.
Independent recognition has included Novogradac rankings, Silicon Valley Business Journal awards, Forbes recognition and CoStar impact recognition.
Silicon Valley Business Journal
Novogradac, 2023–2025
Across housing, hospitality, office and retail
Relationships and execution experience in one market
Awards & recognition
Independent recognition across development, fund management and contribution to downtown San Jose.
Awards and rankings reflect specific years and methodologies and should not be viewed as guarantees of future investment performance.
Paseo
Erik Hayden · Developer category
Silicon Valley Business Journal
Novogradac tracked Opportunity Zone funds
Silicon Valley Business Journal Structures Award
Forbes recognition
Built with trusted experts
Urban Catalyst works with experienced legal, accounting, tax, fund administration and insurance professionals.
The road ahead
Urban Catalyst does not currently have an open Opportunity Zone fund. The firm is monitoring Opportunity Zones 2.0 and preparing for a potential 2027 fund formation.
In the meantime, the focus remains on advancing the existing San Jose portfolio and keeping prospective investors informed.
Join the interest list for future Urban Catalyst Opportunity Zone updates and potential 2027 fund information.
Join the interest listExplore Urban Catalyst
Explore the downtown San Jose portfolio and meet the team advancing it from concept through completion.