MULTIFAMILY INFLUENCER: Village Green
Originally founded in 1919, Village Green has evolved from building single-family homes locally into one of the nation’s largest privately held apartment companies.
Originally founded in 1919, Village Green has evolved from building single-family homes locally into one of the nation’s largest privately held apartment companies. Nearly 100 years later its goal has remained the same: to help people “Live Better, Live Social and Live Green.”
And while the name Village Green originally symbolized the creation and management of apartments that fostered a sense of community, much like the historic village greens of England. Today, it also represents a commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility—the latter highlighted when the City of Detroit bestowed upon the company the Spirit of Detroit Award for its contribution to the city’s economic revitalization.
Village Green assists owners in renovating and building communities using environmentally-friendly materials and energy efficient products, often incorporating 24/7/365 business centers that lead to reduced commuting, bike storage and repair facilities, green rooftops, as well as air and water quality programs. Yet it wasn’t always a multifamily developer; it was only in the 1950s that the company began to expand into apartment, condo and commercial building. Village Green Management Co. and the Village Green apartment brand was established in 1966 as a separate division exclusively for developing, building and managing communities. By the late 1970s Village Green was pushing innovations in business, marketing, technology and design that over the course of nearly four decades transformed the company into a national apartment industry leader. In 2011, Compatriot Capital, a division of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., became owners in Village Green.
Today, the company is under the stewardship of 1,300 associates and seasoned management team led by Diane Batayeh. A college student when she joined the company in 1980 as a part time sales consultant, she is responsible for global and strategic initiatives and planning for all the operating companies that comprise Village Green Holding. Barbara Hale, EVP of sales and marketing, has managed the firm’s sales and marketing initiatives for more than a decade. The VP of operations services, Mirriam Livingstone, began her career with Village Green more than 25 years ago as a property manager. Her industry designations include CAPS and SHCM, and she’s completed the National Apartment Association’s Advanced Instructor Training program.