Praxis (proposed city)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Urban development, real estate, technology |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Dryden Brown, Charlie Callinan |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Mediterranean region (planned), potential Greenland site |
Key people | Dryden Brown (CEO), David Weinreb (Vice Chairman) |
Number of employees | 6 (2022, in loft residence) |
Praxis is an enterprise established by Dryden Brown and Charlie Callinan, with David Weinreb, the founder of Howard Hughes Corporation, serving as Vice Chairman. Branding itself as an "internet-native nation," Praxis aims to develop a city in the Mediterranean region, targeting a population of 10,000 residents. Brown has yet to settle on a definitive location, and the project's practicality has been met with skepticism.
As of April 2024, Praxis reports having 2,034 citizens and 124 companies, with enterprises founded by members collectively valued at $452 billion. Although the Mediterranean remains the primary focus, the company has also considered Greenland as a potential site. In November 2024, Brown engaged with Greenlandic officials, including Pele Broberg, to discuss the initiative.
Founders
Dryden Brown was raised in Santa Barbara, California and received homeschooling to support his competitive surfing pursuits. Influenced by Ayn Rand and economists from the Austrian tradition, he applied exclusively to prestigious universities but faced rejections before enrolling at New York University, which he later left without graduating. Brown met his co-founder Charlie Callinan—formerly a wide receiver for Boston College—while employed as a hedge fund analyst. After Brown’s dismissal from that role, they financed a trip to Nigeria and Ghana using Callinan’s golf winnings, where they proposed establishing a financial hub in discussions with Ghana’s Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Later in 2019, an exchange during surfing in Puerto Rico inspired the creation of Bluebook Cities, which eventually evolved into Praxis.
The New York Times portrays Brown as someone who makes grand promises but provides limited concrete details, noting his unconventional business demeanor. Brown attributes inspiration for Praxis to the 2020 George Floyd protests and subsequent unrest in SoHo, after which he retreated to Alaska. He has voiced criticism of contemporary urban centers for lacking cohesive communal values.
A former staff member described Brown’s preferred governance model as authoritarian fascism devoid of religion, controlled by a state party. Another insider noted Brown’s belief in a "natural order" shaped by divine influence and highlighted his contentious perspectives on race.
Investments
A The New York Times article from December 2023 disclosed that Brown had secured $19.2 million in funding for Praxis. The largest investor is Paradigm Operations. Additional backers include Pronomos Capital—supported by Peter Thiel and initially managed by Patri Friedman, Milton Friedman’s grandson—as well as venture capitalists Balaji Srinivasan and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, both linked to Thiel. Funding also came from Alameda Research, associated with Sam Bankman-Fried, Apollo Projects founded by Sam Altman, and Winklevoss Capital Management, the family office of the Winklevoss twins.
Praxis loft
In May 2022, Praxis relocated its operations to a spacious top-floor loft in SoHo where employees both live and work. The space hosts extravagant gatherings designed to emulate the salon culture reminiscent of the Parisian Enlightenment era. Additional events have taken place at various bars and the Yale Club in Manhattan. By 2022, six team members resided within this loft. In February 2024, Praxis faced legal action from the property owner over unpaid rent.
Membership and economy
Brown has stated there is a waiting list of approximately 50,000 individuals interested in joining the envisioned city, with around 12,000 members planning to relocate beginning in 2026. As of April 2024, Praxis counts 2,043 members. Recruitment efforts focus on metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Miami, and target high-profile events like Coachella and Cannes. Among its members are founders from companies including Worldcoin and Soylent.
Values
In a 2021 interview, Brown characterized the city’s aesthetic as "hero futurism" combined with a "neo-Gilded Age" style. Praxis is associated with libertarian ideals and cryptocurrency advocacy. During its 2022 Series A fundraising presentation, it described the planned city as a "cryptostate."
An internal branding document condemned "enemies of vitality" while promoting "traditional, European/Western beauty standards" as essential for success. It also expressed an intention to attract "hot girls" alongside technological talent.
New employees received introductory materials recommending literature that endorses racist and fascist ideologies. An internal presentation referenced traditionalist philosopher Julius Evola’s concept of four “functional classes” or castes, suggesting these categories should inform member and resident recruitment strategies.
By April 2024, Bloomberg reported that CEO Dryden Brown was evaluating sites covering at least 10,000 acres after raising close to $500 million from investors. The project envisions governance augmented by artificial intelligence, accelerated technological development, and labor regulations favorable to employers—described as “Elon-compatible.” Initial plans involve relocating supporters into between 250 and 1,000 modular homes once host-country approval is obtained. Future phases anticipate constructing a more extensive city designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.