Maryanne Gilmartin

After decades of shaping New York City’s skyline, Gilmartin’s latest chapter began in 2018 with the launch of her MWBE-certified development company.

Gilmartin’s MAG Partners has built a $1 billion development pipeline, including Ruby at 243 West 28th Street, a mixed-income residential building and two luxury projects, Mabel at 335 Eighth Avenue and Anagram Turtle Bay at 300 East 50th Street.

Before launching MAG, Gilmartin served as president and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, overseeing some of the city’s most high-profile developments, including the Barclays Center, the 22-acre Pacific Park Brooklyn project, and The New York Times building. 

Gilmartin’s entry into real estate was serendipitous. A professor suggested she apply for an urban fellowship, a unique opportunity to work with city agencies during Ed Koch’s administration. She began managing complex projects, like negotiating with an 82-year-old squatter with four pit bulls and a shotgun over a site where the city wanted to build a police department tow pound.

“I solved his problem and I said to myself, ‘if this is what real estate is about, it’s about human relationships and connection,’ and I thought, ‘this is sort of fun,’” Gilmartin said.