Fordham Real Estate Institute Honors Visionaries Shaping New York’s Landscape, Inspiring Future Leaders

Top industry professionals came together to celebrate three prominent real estate colleagues who are changing New York City’s landscape and to support the real estate leaders of tomorrow at a premiere event last week hosted by Fordham University’s Real Estate Institute (REI).

MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO of MAG Partners, Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman of The Douglaston Companies, and Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager at Related Companies/Hudson Yards, were honored at the first-annual Real Estate Institute Awards event June 15 on the rooftop of Douglaston Development’s 3Eleven, at 311 Eleventh Ave. in West Chelsea.

“This is a night to celebrate the groundbreakers, visionaries, and future leaders in real estate,” said Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, EAC member, and event emcee. “Tonight, we honor the people who have shaped the skyline of New York City and beyond, and your presence here supports those who will shape it in the future.”

Dr. Anthony Davidson, Dean of Fordham University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies, was joined by REI Executive Advisory Council (EAC) Chair Ryan O’Connor, President and CEO of Clinton Management, and EAC member Chris Mills, CEO and President of Electra USA, to present the awards.

“We launched our Real Estate Institute just over six years ago with the goal of offering programs that impart real-world skills and lessons, taught by industry leaders,” said Dean Davidson. “REI has achieved that and more, and is recognized today as an educational and thought-leadership powerhouse. All of you here tonight are testament to that.”

“REI comprises students seeking undergraduate, master’s degrees, and graduate certificates, as well as thousands of students in our professional development and certificate classes,” said O’Connor. “But, what impresses me more than the numbers are the people. The people at Fordham care about you and help you make connections, just like we are doing tonight. What better place to celebrate that and bring together students studying real estate construction, development, and finance than 3Eleven, the largest new multifamily building in Manhattan, at the epicenter of the built environment.”

“I became involved with REI because I like to give back to our industry,” said Mills. “Thirty years ago, there was a gentleman who took time to mentor me and I have never forgotten that, and I have paid it forward ever since. If you haven’t already, consider becoming a mentor – the rewards are incredible.”

The REI awards were presented in the following categories:

• Groundbreaker Award: Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman of The Douglaston Companies, for the revolutionary development at 3Eleven, the largest new multifamily building in Manhattan, as well as for his decades of excellence in building, developing, managing and delivering market-rate and affordable housing options to New Yorkers.
• Visionary Award: MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO of MAG Partners, and Fordham graduate who is special advisor to the EAC. With decades of experience in developing impactful, iconic, large-scale projects, Gilmartin leads MAG Partners, which currently has a $1 billion development pipeline in New York, including the recently opened “Ruby” multifamily community in Chelsea.
• Titan of Tomorrow Award: Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager at Related Companies/Hudson Yards, and Fordham graduate for his academic and professional achievement in the real estate industry and strong commitment and service to Fordham REI’s EAC and adjunct faculty staff.

“I’m honored to accept the Groundbreaker Award from Fordham University’s esteemed Real Estate Institute alongside industry peers,” said Levine. “It is made that much more special that we are able to do so at 3Eleven, one of our team’s most transformative developments to take shape and more importantly, one that is providing both a needed affordable and market-rate housing offering at a time when new housing stock in New York City is sparse.”

“Real estate is not just about putting up buildings; it’s thinking of the people who live and work in them, creating jobs, and building partnerships with the community,” said Gilmartin. “As a Fordham alum, I’m excited to be here to see the next generation of real estate leaders and help them on their road to success.”

“I’m grateful to be the first Fordham REI alum to receive this award. From student orientation through graduation, I had the full support of faculty, mentors and classmates,” said Fusco. “I look forward to continuing to pave the path and create opportunities for those lucky enough to study at Fordham REI – and that’s what tonight is all about.”

About the Fordham Real Estate Institute

The Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) is a part of Fordham’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. REI offers a Master of Science in Real Estate, a Master of Science in Real Estate Development, Master of Science in Construction Management, advanced graduate certificates in real estate finance, development, management and construction management, a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, and a comprehensive array of professional certificates in real estate and construction at its campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison, N.Y. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks as classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. For information, visit www.fordham.edu/realestate.

PHOTO CAPTION: 

Attending the June 15, 2023 premiere of the Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) Awards event in New York City were, from left: Dr. Anthony Davidson, Dean, Fordham University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies; Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman, The Douglaston Companies; MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO, MAG Partners; Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager, Related Companies/Hudson Yards; Bess Freedman, CEO, Brown Harris Stevens and member of REI’s Executive Advisory Council (EAC); REI’s EAC Chair Ryan O’Connor, President and CEO of Clinton Management; and Chris Mills, CEO and President, Electra USA, and EAC member.  

Photo by Chris Taggart