top of page

Winona
Real Estate Development

WRE Development is a premier real estate firm dedicated to creating spaces that elevate communities and deliver lasting value. Since 2018, we’ve transformed opportunities into landmark projects through innovation, sustainable design, and strategic partnerships. From new builds to thoughtful redevelopments, our team brings the expertise and vision to shape success with every project.

pexels-olesia-misty-140391-425343.jpg

ABOUT

Beauty in Community

At WRE Development, we believe beauty is found in the strength and character of communities. Every project we undertake is guided by a commitment to preserving the cultural fabric of neighborhoods while introducing new opportunities for families to thrive. We recognize that housing is more than walls and roofs, it is the stage upon which people build their lives, relationships, and legacies. By creating welcoming spaces that reflect dignity and inclusivity, we nurture communities that inspire pride, connection, and resilience. This approach allows us to honor history, celebrate diversity, and ensure that growth strengthens rather than displaces the soul of a community.

Function

Function is at the heart of everything we build. Housing is not only a basic human need but also a foundation for stability, prosperity, and future opportunity. Our developments are designed with intentionality, ensuring that every feature serves families in ways that are practical, accessible, and empowering. From idea to implementation, we prioritize clarity, efficiency, and real-world usability so that homes are not only beautiful but also truly livable. By aligning purpose with practicality, we transform spaces into solutions that strengthen both individuals and the broader community. This balance of design and service allows us to deliver housing that stands the test of time while meeting immediate needs.

WRE Development is deeply committed to sustainability as both a responsibility and a promise to future generations. We embrace practices that reduce environmental impact while enhancing the long-term value of our projects. Every decision, from materials to energy efficiency, is guided by the goal of creating developments that endure without compromising the health of our planet. Sustainability, to us, means balancing growth with stewardship, ensuring that what we build today supports the prosperity of tomorrow. By integrating innovation, green practices, and thoughtful planning, we help foster communities that thrive economically, socially, and environmentally. Our work reflects a belief that progress and preservation are not opposing forces but powerful partners in shaping a better world.

sustainability

pexels-rquiros-2219024.jpg
pexels-svh-manali-1801124329-28347479.jpg

Contact us

Get in touch by filling out the form. We’ll respond swiftly.

Choose an option

About Winona Francis

BIO

Winona Francis is a distinguished real estate developer and strategic leader whose career reflects a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and building pathways to opportunity. With a Political Science degree from Drew University and an MBA from George Washington University, Winona transformed her academic foundation into a mission-driven practice that merges vision with execution.

Over the course of her career, she has overseen more than $600 million in real estate portfolios and led the development of $170 million in assets, delivering over 250 units of high-quality, affordable multifamily housing across the Washington, D.C. region.

 

Her leadership extends beyond bricks and mortar—Winona is recognized for creating ecosystems of opportunity, integrating housing with job training, education, and healthcare to ensure communities thrive holistically.
 

As Development Manager at Manna Inc. and now as founder of WRE Development, she continues to set new standards for socially conscious, high-performance development. Respected for her ability to align public, private, and nonprofit partners, Winona is reshaping the housing landscape with a vision of inclusivity, stability, and lasting prosperity.

2025 Prince George's County

Neighborhood Planning Academy Graduate

Momentus Capital sponsored by  Amazon

Housing Equity Accelerator 2024 Cohort

Housing Equity Accelerator 2025

Emerging Sponsor Cohort

DHCD Supportive Housing

Institute Awardee and Accelerator Graduate 2024 

Purple Line Equitable Housing Training 2025 Cohort

2025 Cohort Participant

The Harbor Bank of Maryland

Emerging Real Estate Developers Baltimore Cohort 2022

winona.jpg

Our Services

pexels-aqib-shahid-1528024-32017632.jpg

1

Development & Project Management

From concept to completion, we turn vision into reality with precision and care. Our team manages every detail, budget, timeline, and execution so projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard. With expertise spanning multifamily, affordable housing, and transformative redevelopments, we ensure every project creates lasting value. Partner with us to build with confidence and impact.

2

Advisory & Owners Representation Services 

We act as your trusted partner, safeguarding your interests at every stage of development. From navigating financing and regulations to coordinating with architects, contractors, and agencies, we provide clarity in complex processes. Our advisory team brings decades of experience to maximize returns, reduce risk, and ensure your vision is fully realized. With us by your side, you gain both expertise and peace of mind.

3

Construction Services

Quality construction is the foundation of every thriving community we build. Our team delivers reliable, efficient, and cost-conscious execution while upholding the highest standards of safety and craftsmanship. Whether it’s new construction or adaptive reuse, we bring innovation and integrity to every job site. With WRE Development, your project is built to endure and designed to inspire.

pexels-ekrulila-33415133.jpg
pexels-jothamsutharson-14994002.jpg
pexels-bryantsjhay-11625770.jpg
bottom of page