Larken Associates

Larken Associates has been one of the most active developers in New Jersey. At its helm as president and CEO, second-gen leader Gardner has built the small, family-owned real estate firm into a business with an impressive portfolio. Under his leadership, Larken Associates transformed from a small, family-owned real estate business into one of the region’s most respected developers and property managers.

Today, the firm’s diverse commercial portfolio consists of nearly 4 million square feet and 1,000 tenants across office, industrial, retail and mixed-use as well as approximately 2,500 owned and managed residential units across 20 unique communities — with another 1,500 in the development pipeline. The company has also adopted an entrepreneurial outlook when it comes to incorporating technology into its operations—more than keeping up with trends but instead leading them, most recently using AI to better serve and attract residents, as well as workers.

Gardner is focused on giving back, as well. He leads Larken’s work with From Houses to Homes, a Guatemalan-based grassroots organization. He’s traveled to the county 12 times to help assist From Houses to Homes; in 2019, two Larken Associates teams made the trek to volunteer to construct homes; and in late 2022, the company resumed its volunteer trips, following a break due to the pandemic.