For Steward Land Company, development is more than building houses, it’s about shaping the lives within them. Mormon Redd joined real estate developers Sky Hazlehurst and Brad Brown to build Steward Land Company after discovering their shared passion for elevating people’s lives through what they created. “This idea of conscientious development became an opportunity not just to make a profit, but to make an impact on people’s lives,” Redd said.
“Steward Land Company is on a mission to set a new standard — what we call conscientious development,” he added. “We want to build communities with character by understanding the people who will live there, the city officials who guide policy, and the culture of each neighborhood.”
Redd is enrolled in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the University of Utah to sharpen his skills and enable the company to achieve their vision and address Utah’s housing challenges. His time in the MBC program is sharpening Steward Land Company’s focus and positioning the company to play a meaningful role in helping solve the state’s housing issues.
Developers usually push cities to allow the highest possible building density, while cities push back because they’re trying to protect their limited resources, such as available land, water supply, school capacity, and utility infrastructure. The result is rows of homes that all look the same.
“I think those kinds of developments lack humanity,” Redd said. “They take away from the character of the community, and they still lock out the 40,000 home buyers in Utah who can’t afford a home right now.”
Steward Land Company takes a different approach. They start by researching the character of the community and really understanding the city’s priorities and concerns. Next, they get creative with innovative solutions, many of which have been tested and proven in different parts of the country but are not yet widely adopted. They approach the city with those innovative solutions and try to work hand in hand with city officials to create the ideal “win-win-win” solution.
This gives the city a development they can be proud of, and one that reflects their community values. At the same time, the design ideally allows for more efficient land-use, so the developer benefits, and the homes built can be priced lower for those thousands of families still searching for somewhere they can call their own.
Their goal isn’t just to make development a more honest and collaborative process, but to shape the lives of future homeowners.
“Let’s not just get great land to builders, let’s make an impact,” Redd said. “We recognize that the way we handle our stewardship affects the people who live there for generations to come.”
That impact begins with thoughtful design.
“Many neighborhoods today aren’t designed for people to interact; they’re packed as tightly as possible,” Redd said. “We want to develop communities that build connection and restore humanity.”
This creates housing layouts that are intentionally designed to maximize opportunities for residents to connect. It might also include features like shared gathering spaces, open grass or playgrounds where kids can play and parents can meet, and areas designed for neighbors to play and grow together. This might look like a simple park or pavilion to some, but for Steward Land Company, when designed with care and intentionality, these are places to shape experiences and foster lasting friendships.
As Steward Land Company continues to create spaces where connection and community can thrive, their vision extends far beyond the impact in their own developments. Looking ahead, Redd envisions the company setting a new standard for conscientious development in Utah. “I think that when we start making more of these communities built for people, other developers will catch on,” he said.
While the company’s innovative approach has the potential to present great financial opportunity for both them and their partners, the company’s standards are rooted in integrity, collaboration, and genuine care for the people who will one day call these places home. “We will never make a decision with profit as the sole motive,” Redd said. “At the end of the day, I don’t think any deal or profit is worth the price of our integrity and the values we hold as a company. If there’s ever a conflict between those two, we will always prioritize doing the right thing.”
For Redd and the Steward Land Company team, development is not just about building neighborhoods, it’s about cultivating belonging, connection, and lasting value. “And most of all,” Redd said, “I hope that because of how we build these communities, we will have richer communities, deeper friendships, and more meaningful, joyful lives.”
Learn more about Steward Land Company at stewardland.com
