Lifting Cities: Design, Civic Partnership, and Social Impact

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, MSRED student Michael Khamis speaks with MaryAnne Gilmartin, Founder and CEO of MAG Partners, about what it means to build cities with conviction, purpose, and long-term vision. MaryAnne traces her path from public service in New York City’s economic development ecosystem to leading transformative real estate projects in the city, including the Barclays Center, the New York Times Building, and New York by Gehry. 

The conversation explores MaryAnne’s decision to launch MAG Partners, grounded in a belief that a development firm can be both principled and profitable. She discusses navigating capital formation through volatile cycles, the importance of patient capital, and why she continues to bet on New York City despite political and market headwinds. MaryAnne also offers a candid assessment of housing policy, public-sector collaboration, and what functional public–private partnerships require.

MaryAnne reflects on MAG Partners’ mission-driven approach to development, including naming buildings after unsung women leaders and designing projects that prioritize beauty, sustainability, and community impact. As she states, “An urban developer can lift a city,” a sentiment that portrays both the responsibility and opportunity embedded in the profession.

Interview by: Michael Khamis / MSRED 2026

Director: Denise DeLorey

Production: Michael Khamis / Lacey Cochran

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me

License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

Learn more: https://magpartners.com