Develop IN THE NATION’S HOTTEST REAL ESTATE subMARKET

FULTON STREET COMPANIES

Fulton Street Companies is a prominent real estate development firm headquartered in Chicago, with a specialized focus on the vibrant Fulton Market District. Our core mission revolves around the strategic acquisition and development of both commercial and residential properties, with a keen emphasis on enhancing the distinctive characteristics of the neighborhood.

At FSC, collaboration is at the heart of our ethos. We forge strategic partnerships with esteemed family offices and institutional investors, leveraging their expertise and resources to fuel our ventures. Moreover, we pride ourselves on assembling a stellar team of best-in-class general contractors, architects, and legal professionals, whose collective expertise and dedication are instrumental in translating our vision into tangible reality.

  • ALEX NAJEM

    FOUNDER & CEO

    In 2017, Alex established Fulton Street Companies, guiding its transformation from a startup to a dynamic real estate development firm. Specializing in diverse projects ranging from single-tenant retail to 500k square foot office buildings, under Alex's leadership, Fulton Street Companies has become a trailblazer in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood, particularly within its historic district.

    Alex's initiatives brought esteemed brands like Glossier and Louis Vuitton to Fulton Market, elevating it into a premier shopping destination, renowned as "the place to be" in the United States. Notable projects completed under his stewardship include the Midwest headquarters for Herman Miller, the pioneering Café Maman/Paper Source store, entitlements for the largest multifamily development, and two of the district's most significant office developments.

    Through Alex's leadership, Fulton Street Companies has attracted substantial investments from notable family offices, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals, cementing its position as a leading force in real estate development.

  • ROSS BABEL

    FOUNDER, MANAGING PRINCIPAL

    Ross specializes in new development and capital strategies at FSC, managing the current project portfolio and overseeing management, capital transactions, financial analysis, and financing.

    Before co-founding FSC with Alex, Ross entered the real estate industry in 2011, concentrating on residential ground-up development throughout Chicago. As a residential developer, he completed over 600,000 square feet across different asset classes including condos, single-family homes, and multi-family developments, achieving sales exceeding $100 million. He holds a BA from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

  • BOBBY SCHWARTZ

    COO

    Bobby launched his career in the 1990s as a floor trader and broker at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, focusing on equity futures markets. He served as an institutional market maker in the Nasdaq, representing major institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Merrill Lynch, and Societe Generale.

    In 2010, Bobby founded RCM Alternatives, a registered Finra/CFTC Broker Dealer with offices in Chicago, Geneva, and Shanghai. Tailored for the institutional financial sector, RCM offers services including allocation to alternative-based funds, execution, and clearing services for hedge funds, mutual funds, UCITS, and commercial firms.

    As a key figure at RCM, Bobby drives growth strategy, overseeing M&A activities, capital markets, and the integration of diverse business lines. His expertise lies in operations, onshore and offshore structures, capital markets, and investor services. Currently, Bobby serves on the board of directors of the CME Group PAC and the arbitration oversight board.

  • DAVID MAZZELLA

    BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

    With over three decades of management and business expertise, David brings extensive experience in finance and, more recently, real estate development spanning the past decade. At Fulton Street Companies, where he has served as a senior advisor since 2017, David focuses on investor relations, company strategy, and securing financing and equity.

    Before joining Fulton Street Companies, David held the position of Managing Director at Cedar Street Companies. There, he orchestrated transactions totaling over $150 million in debt, equity, and dispositions.

    David's career also includes serving as President and Owner of the MZA Group LLC, an independent commodity brokerage firm in Chicago, operating on the trading floors of the CBOT and CME. Prior to this venture, he led brokerage teams with full profit and loss responsibilities at Man Financial and worked as a repo trader at JP Morgan Securities. David holds a BA in History from Bowdoin College and is married with four children.

  • LEONARD KREIMER

    INVESTOR RELATIONS

    Leonard is charged with leading the firm's strategic initiatives and venture capital efforts. This role encompasses the diligent evaluation and execution of M&A activities, ensuring seamless integration, spearheading business development, and managing special projects.

    In addition to these responsibilities, Leonard is pivotal in driving the firm's capital raising and client service strategies, which involves fostering and maintaining relationships with a global network of investors. His role is critical in guiding product and strategic development, as well as overseeing the firm's research function. This ensures the production of comprehensive, industry-leading research that supports both internal and external stakeholders in making informed, risk-adjusted investment decisions.