Martin Cottingham joined Avison Young as a Principal to help launch its New York office in early 2012. A real estate veteran with over 30 years of experience, Martin’s success in leading major initiatives at Avison Young is the result of his dedication, deep industry expertise, and unique background. Martin has a proven history of delivering successful outcomes for clients, completing millions of square feet in transactions, and being recognized consistently as one of Avison Young New York’s top producing office leasing brokers.

Martin specializes in transaction management with complete project oversight for several multi-market corporate clients. Martin is a preferred provider for national transactions for JPMorgan Chase, providing an array of services including office and retail leasing, consulting, and sales in cities across the country.

Recently, he has successfully executed projects for 20 plus non-profit schools, private and charter, delivering optimal results for not only his clients, but the communities they serve. 

His tireless efforts working with NYU Winthrop University Hospital’s real estate task force reduced portfolio operating costs across the owned and leased facilities in the hospital’s network, enabling the institution to identify over $5 million in savings. Martin also collaborated with city officials to transform vacant lots on Brooklyn’s Coney Island Boardwalk into the stunning 5,000-seat Ford Amphitheater.

Martin’s accomplishments have been recognized by the Real Estate Board of New York, which named him a finalist for the Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Award for arranging the relocation of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) headquarters from Harlem to 1133 Avenue of the Americas. The NBPA project also received the Design & Construction of a New Facility Award from the New York Chapter of the International Facility Management Association.

Previously, Martin was a Managing Director of the Corporate Services Group, for Grubb & Ellis (now Newmark), where he oversaw the firm’s corporate services in the Northeast region. Prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, Martin was a Managing Director at Bear Stearns & Company, where he was responsible for all global facility management, property management, design, development, construction, facility planning, furniture procurement and corporate services units for a real estate portfolio totaling more than 4 million square feet. Prior to being named Managing Director, Martin oversaw all site activities for the development of Bear Stearns’ 1.2 million-square-foot world headquarters at 383 Madison Avenue. This extensive experience has equipped Martin with the ability to offer clients a level of expertise that extends well beyond traditional leasing transactions, enabling him to deliver comprehensive, strategic solutions tailored to each client's unique needs.

Credentials

Professional credentials

• Appointed to the New York State Real Estate Board by former Gov. George Pataki
• President – Irish American Building Society
• Board Member – LaSalle Academy, Futures in Education, YMCA
• Public Policy Committee – CoreNet Global
• Member – U.S.-Ireland Council, Queens Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Committee

Leadership awards and recognition

• Connect Media Top Broker Award – 2018
• Avison Young Circle of Excellence – 2015-Present
• Avison Young Largest Sale Transaction Award – 2016
• REBNY Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Finalist – 2016

 

Education and designations

• New York University – M.S., Real Estate Development
• St. Joseph’s College – B.S., Organizational Management
• New York University – Certificate in Construction Management