David Gardner (left) and Lawrence W. Gardner — Courtesy: Larken Associates
By Joshua Burd
Larken Associates is marking its 60th anniversary in business, touting its evolution from a single-family homebuilder to a developer of multifamily and commercial properties with a growing portfolio in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Founded by Lawrence W. Gardner in 1965, the firm tracked the region’s significant growth in the subsequent years by seeking opportunities for more ambitious projects in other asset classes. That was due in large part to the addition of Gardner’s son, David, who joined the business in 1985 and worked alongside his father to expand into sectors such as rental housing, self-storage, flex-industrial, retail and professional and medical office space.
Larken Associates, with David Gardner still in place as CEO and president, now boasts a portfolio that spans nearly 3,000 residential units across 20 communities and 4 million square feet of commercial space.
“Although our buildings might be the most visible example of our success over the past 60 years, we believe that the lasting impact we have made on our communities, our residents and commercial tenants is truly what matters most,” David Gardner said. “I want to thank our employees and tenants for their support over the last 60 years. Together, we’ve built something truly special, and I look forward to the next chapter of our journey.”
Looking ahead, the company remains focused on expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and ground-up development, according to a news release. Its largest multifamily investment to date, the 21-building, 420-unit Trailside Village in Forks, Pennsylvania, is already underway, while it’s in the planning stages for additional projects across New Jersey and Pennsylvania that would create another 1,500 multifamily units and 200,000 square feet of commercial space.
The residential developments will add to what’s known as the Larken Living portfolio that includes both budget-friendly options and luxury-style homes with high-end amenities and finishes. The firm also offers senior living communities that are designed around the needs of active adults.
Meantime, the firm’s commercial portfolio caters to businesses ranging from small startups seeking their first office to large distributors requiring industrial flex space. It also serves retail tenants through its many shopping centers or mixed-use properties in the region.
Additionally, Larken cited the importance of its Larken Cares initiative, which encourages every employee to take pride in enriching and enhancing their local communities. According to the news release, members of the Larken Associates team are proud to support a wide range of global and local charities including From Houses to Homes, America’s Grow-A-Row, Norwescap New Jersey, Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania and YWCA York.
