LAYTON & TAYLOR ARCHITECTS
About US
Since 1981 the Blackard Companies have been responsible for the development of over $6 billion in real estate assets. Much of the company’s history was focused on master-planned communities. The firm has delivered over 15,000 single-family home sites in over 30 communities along with a variety of commercial projects including large office parks, manufacturing facilities, retail/restaurant centers, schools, hotels and resorts, marinas, and golf courses. In conjunction with these developments, the firm has also planned and executed major corresponding infrastructure projects, including water and sewer treatment plants, rail systems, and bridges.
Blackard’s in house expertise and strategic partnerships has made it the world’s preeminent experiential village developer. The result: authentic, one-of-a-kind guest and owner experiences, outsized asset growth, and strong risk-adjusted returns.
The company’s immense and comprehensive knowledge of real estate development sets it apart from all others as those capabilities are applied to honoring all aspects of the natural and community environment in the overall purpose of the development project. Few other development firms employ the hands-on and detail-oriented approach that Blackard has so well perfected. Unwavering attention to detail and craftsmanship, respect for the communities and the land served by the company’s projects, and a hands-on approach to property and asset management ensure that every Blackard venture drastically improves outcomes for the people living in our communities, investors, buyers, and tenants.
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In the early 2000s, following an investment in the small nation of Croatia (a nation which is based largely on traditional village life), the firm shifted its focus away from the American idea of formulaic development and began pioneering a philosophy of real estate based on its founder’s idea of creating contemporary self-sustaining villages. This philosophy has been named ‘NeoRetroism’ and represents the furthest evolution of modern real estate development—one in which people have diverse choices for how they live, work, and get around in their community. The first example of this NeoRetroism philosophy can be seen at the Adriatica Village near Dallas, Tx.
The Blackard Companies are now the world’s foremost developer of modern-day villages, actively advocating for communities that better serve the needs of their villagers across the globe.
Other Ventures
Blackard Companies have a rich history of entrepreneurship. Whether through the development and marketing of computer peripherals, flexible packaging, or operationalizing of clean-energy technology in Eastern Europe, Blackard has a broad base of knowledge and an extensive network of partners and consultants to effectively ideate, grow, or operate businesses in a variety of verticles and localities—both in the United States and abroad.
The Global Council on NeoRetroism is a non-profit organization committed to the propagation of modern-day villages throughout the world.
Zero Global Waste is committed to implementing technologies that solve issues created by municipal solid waste in the world.
The Founder
Jeffory Blackard is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Blackard Companies. With his distinguished real estate career in its fourth decade, Mr. Blackard is widely considered one of the foremost real estate visionaries of our time.
Mr. Blackard’s goal is to revolutionize the design and development world by applying successful historic community characteristics to create a more sustainable and healthier world for future generations. Mr. Blackard is committed to protecting the environment and has been awarded the “National Wetland Conservation Award.” Mr. Blackard’s projects give meticulous attention to the needs of people with disabilities and physical challenges. He received the “Developer of the Year Award” by Accessology, a firm dedicated to accessibility for people with disabilities.
Mr. Blackard exhibits his passion for spreading the Gospel throughout the world by giving both his resources and time to charitable ventures. He founded Amazon Outreach to share the Gospel with the most remote regions of the Amazon Basin. He organized the construction of the Linda Esperança, a 30-meter riverboat equipped with medical and dental facilities, to provide aid to the most inaccessible native tribes. He is also involved with the Christian missions’ organization, e3 Partners, and has traveled to over 50 countries on 4 continents, compassionately ministering to a variety of people, from orphan children to Heads of State.
Mr. Blackard is an accomplished entrepreneur, having spearheaded numerous international ventures ranging from inventions of computer peripherals to printing for flexible packaging. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University, with a major in Communications. He attended the University on an athletic scholarship in both basketball and track (as a decathlete) and was recognized as one of Northwestern University’s Top 100 Most Notable Graduates.
Philanthropy
Mr. Blackard and his company place a premium on community and charitable service. Their contributions include supporting local and international conservation initiatives, underwriting the visions of several global ministries, and funding global outreach programs to assist the under-privileged both at home and abroad.
Mr. Blackard’s projects give meticulous attention to the needs of people with disabilities and physical challenges. He has received the “Developer of the Year Award” by Accessology, a firm dedicated to accessibility for people with disabilities.
Mr. Blackard founded Amazon Outreach to share the Gospel with the most remote regions of the Amazon Basin. He organized the construction of the Linda Esperança, a 100-foot riverboat equipped with medical and dental facilities, to provide aid to the most inaccessible native tribes.
Finally, Mr. Blackard enjoys speaking on business and leadership skills to social, political and business groups, organizations and universities around the world. He makes himself available to groups both small and large and speaks on a range of topics from: politics to real estate development in the 21st century.
He is also involved with the Christian missions’ organization, e3 Partners, and has traveled to over 50 countries on 4 continents, compassionately ministering to a variety of people, from orphan children to Heads of State. His commitment to protecting the environment is evidenced by his receipt of the “National Wetland Conservation Award.
Charitable Interests
