Anthony Maher

About Anthony Maher

NORTH STARRelationships. Platforms. Ecosystems. I’m a business executive, builder, and connector driven by a passion for community development, innovation, and using real estate as a platform for transformation. Over the past decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of placemaking, technology, and capital, specializing in public-private partnerships that fuel growth and create vibrant, hyper-local ecosystems.My focus today is on life sciences real estate.one of the most dynamic sectors shaping our economy and our future. For me, it’s more than buildings: it’s about enabling innovation, empowering collaboration, and delivering long-term value to the communities we serve.PROFESSIONAL JOURNEYFrom the Field to the Founder’s Table-As a former NCAA First Team All-American and professional soccer player, I spent a decade competing at the highest level. Retiring in 2011, I took that same competitive drive, discipline, and team-first mindset into entrepreneurship.Benjamin’s Desk & 1776-In 2013, I co-founded Benjamin’s Desk, scaling it into Greater Philadelphia’s largest coworking platform — home to 500+ companies. We partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Pennovation Center to deepen our innovation footprint, culminating in a 2017 merger with DC-based 1776, creating one of the largest entrepreneurial incubator networks in the Northeast Corridor.University Place Associates (UPA)-Since 2018, I’ve partnered with visionary developer Scott Mazo at University Place Associates (UPA), where we’re redefining what it means to build purpose-driven life sciences environments in University City, Philadelphia.In 2021, UPA partnered with Silverstein Properties and Cantor Fitzgerald to launch 3.0 University Place — a SF, state-of-the-art life sciences building designed to power the next generation of research and innovation. Located in both a Qualified Opportunity Zone and a Keystone Opportunity Zone, 3.0 is part of a broader campus vision that integrates labs, offices, community spaces, and impact-driven development.PERSONAL INSIGHTS-Family First → Blessed to be married nearly 20 years to my incredible wife from Milwaukee, raising five amazing kids who keep life competitive, joyful, and grounded-Philosophy → “The will to prepare to win is more important than the will to win.” — Vince Lombardi.Preparation beats talent. Discipline builds leverage. Momentum compounds.THE BIG PICTURE-Always building. Always learning. Always looking forward.

Experience

1. Partner President

   Upa University Place Associates

   Dec 2018 — Present · Philadelphia, PA, US

   Helping redefine commercial real estate development and create a corridor of innovation & #UrbanImpact in #UniversityCity. Recently delivered and currently leasing up a 250ksf LEED + WELL Platinum Life Sciences Enabled Building #4101Market, and working with Scott Mazo to envision a new development at #4055Market, a 56ksf parcel with top zoning flexibility in the city of Philadelphia.

Education

• Mercyhurst University

  Education, Education

  1998 — 2002