NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 21, 2023) – 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.
Media Contact:
Caryn McBride, Co-Communications Inc.
cmcbride@cocommunications.com
