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Family owned and operated for over 60 years, Larken Associates is one of the region's leading full-service commercial and residential real estate firms.
We are dedicated to bringing great spaces to live and work to life, seizing on opportunities that inspire us and making that vision a reality.
Our business runs on connection, trust and the continual building of long-lasting relationships with our customers.
We are driven by a deep commitment to outstanding customer service. We provide the highest level of personal attention to all of our residents and commercial tenants.
For more than six decades, Larken Associates has built its reputation on a commitment to quality, integrity, and lasting value. From the properties we develop and own to the communities we manage, our work reflects the pride we take in our craft and the relationships we build along the way.
At Larken Associates, we believe that exceptional real estate begins with strong relationships, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to doing things the right way. As a multi-generational, family-owned company, we have built our business on trust, integrity, and a genuine understanding of the people and communities we serve.
From the properties we develop and own to the communities we manage, we take pride in the quality of our work and the value we create. Our hands-on approach and dedication to exceptional service reflect the standards that have guided Larken for generations.
We encourage creative thinking, embrace new opportunities, and continually seek ways to improve. Yet our approach remains grounded in the principles that have shaped our success: upholding our standards, delivering exceptional service, and building relationships that stand the test of time.
Larken Associates was founded in 1965 by Lawrence W. Gardner, whose passion for building and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for the company we know today. Following a successful career on Wall Street, Lawrence began building single-family homes before expanding into residential and commercial real estate development. His vision was simple:
In 1985, Lawrence’s son, David, joined the business, beginning the next generation of family leadership. Together, they guided Larken’s growth and diversification into multifamily, self-storage, flex and industrial, retail, medical, and professional office properties.
After more than five decades of leadership, Lawrence retired in 2024 and now serves as Chairman Emeritus. David continues to lead Larken Associates as President and CEO, carrying forward the family-owned company’s commitment to exceptional service, thoughtful planning, and long-term value.
In 1965, Larry Gardner left a successful career on Wall Street to join his father-in-law in New Jersey real estate development, where the company focused on building single-family homes. That same year, Larry established what would become Larken Associates.
With a focus on quality construction, thoughtful development, and lasting value, Larry began building the foundation for a company that would evolve significantly in the decades ahead.
Throughout the 1970s, Larry Gardner continued to build on the company’s success in single-family residential development, expanding Larken’s presence throughout Central New Jersey with communities in West Caldwell, Hillsborough and Montgomery Township.
By the end of the decade, Larken had expanded beyond single-family construction and entered the multifamily market with its first projects in Hillsborough, Montgomery and Lawrenceville, New Jersey. This expansion marked an important step in diversifying the company’s portfolio and establishing the foundation for future growth.
The 1980s marked a period of significant diversification for Larken. In 1980, the company broke ground on Hillsborough Mini Storage, its first commercial project. In 1985, Larry’s son, David Gardner, joined the firm, bringing the next generation of family leadership into the business.
Larken continued expanding its commercial portfolio with the development of Hillsborough Business Center, a more than 500,000-square-foot industrial warehouse complex. The company also expanded its residential and retail presence in Hillsborough and Lawrenceville, establishing a diversified portfolio spanning residential, retail and industrial real estate.
During the 1990s, Larken continued to expand its commercial portfolio with the development of Montgomery Commons, its first major commercial office complex. The company also expanded into Warren County, developing approximately 400 single-family homes across two residential communities, The Classics and The Meadows, in the Lopatcong area.
By the end of the decade, Larken had expanded its presence across New Jersey while continuing to grow its residential and commercial portfolio.
The 2000s marked a period of significant growth for Larken, with Lopatcong, New Jersey, becoming a major development area for the company. Larken expanded its residential portfolio with 18 additional single-family homes at Belview Estates and Warren Heights, a 414-unit multifamily community that represented the company’s largest residential project to date. The company also expanded its commercial presence with Greenwich Commons and Strykers Plaza.
Building on the success of its development in the region, Larken began seeking new opportunities beyond New Jersey. In 2005, the company entered the Pennsylvania residential market with The Village at Maidencreek, its first active adult community, and Maidencreek Town Center, a neighborhood shopping center in Berks County. Larken later developed The Village at Whitehall in the Lehigh Valley and Delaware Crossing in Lopatcong, further expanding its active adult portfolio.
The 2010s marked a significant shift in Larken’s residential business with the acquisition of approximately 600 apartments in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This established a growing multifamily rental platform and expanded the company’s role to include the ownership and management of rental communities.
Larken continued to grow its residential rental portfolio throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2018, the acquisition of the York Portfolio added approximately 400 units, further expanding the company’s multifamily presence.
The 2020s marked the introduction of Larken Living, a residential brand encompassing a range of communities designed around the way people live today. The portfolio includes Essential Living, offering comfortable, convenient apartments at an accessible price point; Luxury Living, featuring elevated communities with resort-style amenities and thoughtfully designed spaces; and Senior Living, offering active adult communities designed for residents 55 and better.
Through Larken Living, Larken continued to expand its multifamily portfolio across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, developing communities with thoughtfully designed apartments, modern amenities, engaging common spaces, and responsive resident service.
More than 60 years after Larry Gardner founded the company, Larken Associates has evolved from a single-family homebuilder into a diversified real estate organization spanning residential, multifamily, retail, office and industrial properties across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Today, Larken’s commercial portfolio encompasses nearly four million square feet and serves more than 1,000 tenants. Its residential portfolio includes approximately 3,000 owned and managed apartment homes across 20 communities, with another 1,500 homes in the development pipeline.
While the company has grown significantly over the decades, its commitment to quality, its communities and the people it serves remains at the heart of Larken’s approach. Building on the vision established by Larry Gardner, the company continues to create places to live and work that deliver lasting value.
At Larken Associates, we believe that exceptional real estate begins with strong relationships, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to doing things the right way. As a multi-generational, family-owned company, we have built our business on trust, integrity, and a genuine understanding of the people and communities we serve.
From the properties we develop and own to the communities we manage, we take pride in the quality of our work and the value we create. Our hands-on approach and dedication to exceptional service reflect the standards that have guided Larken for generations.
We encourage creative thinking, embrace new opportunities, and continually seek ways to improve. Yet our approach remains grounded in the principles that have shaped our success: upholding our standards, delivering exceptional service, and building relationships that stand the test of time.
Larken Associates was founded in 1965 by Lawrence W. Gardner, whose passion for building and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for the company we know today. Following a successful career on Wall Street, Lawrence began building single-family homes before expanding into residential and commercial real estate development. His vision was simple:
In 1985, Lawrence’s son, David, joined the business, beginning the next generation of family leadership. Together, they guided Larken’s growth and diversification into multifamily, self-storage, flex and industrial, retail, medical, and professional office properties.
After more than five decades of leadership, Lawrence retired in 2024 and now serves as Chairman Emeritus. David continues to lead Larken Associates as President and CEO, carrying forward the family-owned company’s commitment to exceptional service, thoughtful planning, and long-term value.
In 1965, Larry Gardner left a successful career on Wall Street to join his father-in-law in New Jersey real estate development, where the company focused on building single-family homes. That same year, Larry established what would become Larken Associates.
With a focus on quality construction, thoughtful development, and lasting value, Larry began building the foundation for a company that would evolve significantly in the decades ahead.
Throughout the 1970s, Larry Gardner continued to build on the company’s success in single-family residential development, expanding Larken’s presence throughout Central New Jersey with communities in West Caldwell, Hillsborough and Montgomery Township.
By the end of the decade, Larken had expanded beyond single-family construction and entered the multifamily market with its first projects in Hillsborough, Montgomery and Lawrenceville, New Jersey. This expansion marked an important step in diversifying the company’s portfolio and establishing the foundation for future growth.
The 1980s marked a period of significant diversification for Larken. In 1980, the company broke ground on Hillsborough Mini Storage, its first commercial project. In 1985, Larry’s son, David Gardner, joined the firm, bringing the next generation of family leadership into the business.
Larken continued expanding its commercial portfolio with the development of Hillsborough Business Center, a more than 500,000-square-foot industrial warehouse complex. The company also expanded its residential and retail presence in Hillsborough and Lawrenceville, establishing a diversified portfolio spanning residential, retail and industrial real estate.
During the 1990s, Larken continued to expand its commercial portfolio with the development of Montgomery Commons, its first major commercial office complex. The company also expanded into Warren County, developing approximately 400 single-family homes across two residential communities, The Classics and The Meadows, in the Lopatcong area.
By the end of the decade, Larken had expanded its presence across New Jersey while continuing to grow its residential and commercial portfolio.
The 2000s marked a period of significant growth for Larken, with Lopatcong, New Jersey, becoming a major development area for the company. Larken expanded its residential portfolio with 18 additional single-family homes at Belview Estates and Warren Heights, a 414-unit multifamily community that represented the company’s largest residential project to date. The company also expanded its commercial presence with Greenwich Commons and Strykers Plaza.
Building on the success of its development in the region, Larken began seeking new opportunities beyond New Jersey. In 2005, the company entered the Pennsylvania residential market with The Village at Maidencreek, its first active adult community, and Maidencreek Town Center, a neighborhood shopping center in Berks County. Larken later developed The Village at Whitehall in the Lehigh Valley and Delaware Crossing in Lopatcong, further expanding its active adult portfolio.
The 2010s marked a significant shift in Larken’s residential business with the acquisition of approximately 600 apartments in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This established a growing multifamily rental platform and expanded the company’s role to include the ownership and management of rental communities.
Larken continued to grow its residential rental portfolio throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2018, the acquisition of the York Portfolio added approximately 400 units, further expanding the company’s multifamily presence.
The 2020s marked the introduction of Larken Living, a residential brand encompassing a range of communities designed around the way people live today. The portfolio includes Essential Living, offering comfortable, convenient apartments at an accessible price point; Luxury Living, featuring elevated communities with resort-style amenities and thoughtfully designed spaces; and Senior Living, offering active adult communities designed for residents 55 and better.
Through Larken Living, Larken continued to expand its multifamily portfolio across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, developing communities with thoughtfully designed apartments, modern amenities, engaging common spaces, and responsive resident service.
More than 60 years after Larry Gardner founded the company, Larken Associates has evolved from a single-family homebuilder into a diversified real estate organization spanning residential, multifamily, retail, office and industrial properties across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Today, Larken’s commercial portfolio encompasses nearly four million square feet and serves more than 1,000 tenants. Its residential portfolio includes approximately 3,000 owned and managed apartment homes across 20 communities, with another 1,500 homes in the development pipeline.
While the company has grown significantly over the decades, its commitment to quality, its communities and the people it serves remains at the heart of Larken’s approach. Building on the vision established by Larry Gardner, the company continues to create places to live and work that deliver lasting value.
