ABOUT US
Building Partnerships has particular expertise in rehabs and the repositioning of existing improvements such as multi-family housing, mixed-use development and retail. The three principals bring a total of over 80 years of real estate experience and a unique understanding of the dynamic Washington, DC real estate market. In addition, they can draw upon an array of experts with whom they have established long term relationships over many years.
​
We are most proud of our NONPROFIT work as development consultant for several successful project with our nonprofit partners. These include affordable housing providers, social service programs, faith based organization and schools. Some examples of projects is found in the Project Types page.
PARTNERS
Ernest L. Marcus
Partner
Mr. Marcus, a District resident since 1976, has a 42-year history of involvement in development in the Washington, D.C. area, including redevelopment and new construction of multi-family (affordable and market rate), urban retail, mixed-use (apartments, retail, office), industrial and office properties. Previous work history with local development companies in the 1980’s included extensive experience in the development of commercial and residential properties and the rehabilitation of retail, industrial and office properties.
His current and recent District of Columbia affordable housing and projects with an orientation to community benefits include as developer for EQ Flats and Savoy Court condominiums in Congress Heights, and Kennebec Mews in Takoma Park, MD. Also, affordable for sale units were provided in 20% of the units at the Verona Parc and Barcelona condominiums in Columbia Heights. He also served as tenant consultant for the NE 2nd Street Cooperative (52 unit building) and the 5940-5950 Piney Branch Cooperative (28 units). Current projects under consideration include a 35,000 sq.ft. shelter with non-profit office space and a grocery anchored retail site in Annapolis, Maryland. Several development sites assembled by Mr. Marcus are under contract to for eventual affordable housing projects of 50 to 150 units.
Mr. Marcus spent five years as a project director with Carley Capital Group in the 1980’s, one of the largest public-private developers in the U.S. at the time. Major projects with CCG included the award-winning Penn Theatre mixed-use complex on Capitol Hill and the redevelopment of the Convention Center Inn at 1201 K Street, NW. He also was an acquisitions director and project manager for the GLM Companies in Washington, D.C. for five years with a focus on retail development, office and multi-family housing. Major projects included redevelopment of the Landover Crossing Shopping Center, acquisition of three future Giant Food anchored shopping centers and cooperative projects in New York.
Marcus Asset Group, Inc., founded in 1991, is a designated Certified Business Enterprise (CBE). MAG or Mr. Marcus are partners in single asset investment entities which have been involved in such diverse projects as the mixed-use Adams Court and Park Triangle projects in Columbia Heights. A subsidiary, M&B Appraisal Group, was founded in 1991. Mr. Marcus is a Certified General Appraiser and Real Estate Consultant and has appraised numerous complex multi-family, mixed-use, commercial and industrial projects. He has a Finance degree from George Washington University and an MBA in Real Estate & Urban Development from American University.
Robert Aramony
Partner
Bob Aramony has a 22 year history in DC area real estate development with several District of Columbia projects as developer or development consultant. Projects include Savoy Court Condominium, EQ Flats Condominium, Woodson Heights, Mi Casa Coop Pool, Piney Branch Coop, 2nd Street Coop and 101 Q Street.
He has worked as a turn-around consultant with small to mid-size companies analyzing overall operational, organizational, productivity, financial and marketing practices. Mr. Aramony has been president of a catalog company, vice president of a fund distribution company, and vice president of a group purchasing company. He served as executive director of a local United Way in Martin County, Florida. He co-founded the Children’s Services Council which today raises over $7 million per year for social service programs in Martin County.
​
Bob graduated from Georgetown University and received his MBA from Penn State University.
Michael Milliner
Partner
Michael Milliner, a partner with Building Partnerships www.bp-dc.com and President of Redevelopment Community Advisors, has a 35-year history of managing construction and real estate development projects in Washington DC and surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs. During the course of his career, Mr. Milliner has constructed and/or developed a wide variety of residential, light commercial, light industrial and mixed-use properties. Consulting clients have included Carr America, Enterprise Community Partners, Mi Casa, various churches and a number of non-profit community developers. Recent projects have included affordable rentals and condos, Limited Equity Cooperatives, group homes, a youth center and a 5-story mixed use building with transitional housing and non-profit offices.
Consulting services include project feasibility, zoning and public improvement approvals, community support building, arrangements for private/local/public/tax credit financing, oversight of architects and contractors, arrangements with supporting development team members, coordination with property managers and attorneys, construction management, etc. Mr. Milliner serves Enterprise Community Partners as a consultant for the organization’s Faith Based Development Initiative. In this capacity, he provides various churches with market, site, architectural, zoning, financial and overall feasibility research.
​
Mr. Milliner holds Associate degrees in Architectural and Engineering Technology, as well as an MBA from Mt. Saint Mary’s College. In the past he served as the President of two local and one state building association, authored two building related text books and offered numerous building related seminars nationwide.
Lisa Urban
Property Manager and Assistant to Developers
Lisa Urban has 16 years of property management and tenant consultant experience, including management of all aspects of multifamily property operations. Ms. Urban has managed sales and leasing operations. Most recently she is a partner in EQ Flata Condominium - a 25 unit fully-rehabilitated building in Congress Heights.