2024 Women in CRE: Mary McCarthy, Finegold Alexander Architects

What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? I had the pleasure of working on the Newbury of Brookline, in partnership with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, to create a beautiful space where seniors can age in place gracefully. As architects, we have the responsibility of shaping communities and spaces. By focusing on thoughtful design that promotes comfort, accessibility, and social interaction, we foster environments where seniors can maintain their independence while also enjoying a strong sense of community. A particular challenge was to make the project fit comfortably within a historic residential neighborhood. We achieved this by retaining and sensitively restoring an original building on the property to incorporate it into the design and complement the new construction. It is gratifying to see how our efforts have culminated in such a beautiful space, showcasing our commitment to our clients and future residents. 

What is your vision for the future of women in commercial real estate? I envision a future where women in commercial real estate share parity with men to the extent that conversations of gender are not necessary and that we focus only on performance and accomplishments that we achieve together. I also envision a future where men and women of color have the same support and opportunities to excel in the fields of construction and commercial real estate so that the spaces we design, build and occupy are welcoming and respond to the needs of the diversity of people that exist in our world.