Our Story

Chris Laurent is a real estate developer, advisor, educator, and organizational leader with more than two decades of experience turning complex ideas into successful projects. His career has spanned affordable and market-rate housing, community development, project finance, business development, and organizational leadership, with involvement in the development and financing of more than $600 million in residential real estate. Chris has held senior leadership roles with nonprofit and for-profit development firms, working with developers, nonprofits, public agencies, lenders, investors, and communities to move projects from early concept through financing, development, and long-term operations.

Chris is equally passionate about developing people. As an adjunct professor at Marquette University and a longtime instructor in the ACRE real estate development program, he has spent years helping emerging and experienced professionals better understand how real estate development actually works. Through Urban Apex, Chris brings those two parts of his career together—providing practical development strategy, coaching, education, and hands-on problem solving for people and organizations working to create stronger projects and stronger communities. His approach is grounded in experience, curiosity, collaboration, and a belief that the best real estate work creates lasting value well beyond the buildings themselves.