David Gardner, President and CEO of Larken Associates, Recognized Among New Jersey’s Most Powerful CRE Executives on NJBIZ’s 2020 Real Estate Power 50 List
Larken Associates, a regional leader in commercial and residential real estate building, development and management, announces that President and CEO David Gardner has been named to the NJBIZ 2020 Real Estate Power 50 list. Released each year, the NJBIZ Real Estate Power 50 list recognizes New Jersey’s most powerful real estate executives and municipal leaders and celebrates their vision and leadership.
Named to the list for the first time, David Gardner has been recognized for his transformative impact on Larken Associates’ expansive growth, fueled by the firm’s robust development pipeline. Founded by Lawrence Gardner in 1965 and now in its second generation of family leadership under his son David Gardner, Larken Associates’ longevity can be attributed to successfully balancing the tremendous expansion of its portfolio with its full suite of in-house development, construction, leasing, and management capabilities and long-term legacy ownership of its assets.
David’s innovative approach to leadership has charted a clear path for the firm’s strategic growth that ensures we remain a resilient company even during periods of economic uncertainty. His vision and commitment to bringing great living and working spaces to life not only puts the needs of our tenants first but enhances the local communities in which we work. I know I speak for the entire Larken Associates team when I say that I am proud to work for and with David during this dynamic and exciting time for our company. Congratulations, David on this great honor.
Under Gardner’s leadership, the firm’s portfolio is currently comprised of three million square feet of commercial space and 2,000 residential units. After recently expanding its team with a number of pivotal hires to support several multifamily projects in their pipeline or already underway throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Larken Associates now employs 115 professionals across its six divisions. Currently, the firm has over 1,000 residential units and 100,000 square feet of commercial space under construction as well as a mixed-use redevelopment joint venture in the pipeline that will include an additional 1,100 apartments and 55,000 square feet of commercial space.
Gardner’s balanced approach to growth has ensured Larken’s commercial and residential spaces are places where businesses grow, families prosper, and communities thrive. Under the transformative leadership of Gardner, the firm’s diverse commercial and residential portfolio and tenant-focused management strategy as well as its founding principles of integrity and reliability continue to provide stability for the firm even through periods of economic uncertainty.
“David’s innovative approach to leadership has charted a clear path for the firm’s strategic growth that ensures we remain a resilient company even during periods of economic uncertainty,” said Lenny Tartamella, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Larken Associates. “His vision and commitment to bringing great living and working spaces to life not only puts the needs of our tenants first but enhances the local communities in which we work. I know I speak for the entire Larken Associates team when I say that I am proud to work for and with David during this dynamic and exciting time for our company. Congratulations, David on this great honor.”
In addition to his business and personal achievements, Gardner prioritizes giving back to his local community through a number of philanthropic initiatives. One of the firm’s major philanthropic initiatives is its partnership with the Guatemala organization From Houses to Homes. Annually, the firm sponsors a company-wide trip to Guatemala for employees to help construct homes for indigenous families in need. Travel restrictions precluded Larken from returning this year, so the firm raised $5,000 to support the organization. Larken’s philanthropic efforts have not only fostered a strong company culture but have strengthened its relationships with tenants, residents and local communities.
About Larken Associates
Larken Associates is a regional leader in commercial and residential real estate building, development and management. Leveraging over 50 years of experience, they are dedicated to bringing great spaces to live and work to life through a long-term ownership strategy and full suite of in-house capabilities. With a diverse commercial portfolio consisting of nearly three million square feet and 800 tenants across office, industrial, retail and mixed-use and approximately 2,000 owned and/or managed residential units across 22 unique communities, Larken Associates is deeply committed to the communities in which they work as well as the tenants and residents who call their buildings home. To learn more about Larken Associates, please visit us at https://www.larkenassociates.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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