Banneker Ventures Expands Its Impact as a Regional Leader in Real Estate Development

Business Journals

24-04-2025

Silver Spring, MD – Since its founding in 2005, Banneker Ventures has emerged as one of the Mid-Atlantic's most dynamic and purpose-driven real estate development and construction firms. Banneker is a fully integrated enterprise offering a seamless blend of real estate development, general contracting, construction management, and facilities operations. Banneker is redefining what it means to build vibrant, inclusive communities. The firm's portfolio showcases an impressive range of urban infill housing, mixed-use projects, civic buildings, and public-private partnerships that have helped transform the built environment across the Washington, D.C. region. From high-impact renovations of federal buildings to neighborhood-defining affordable housing developments, Banneker has earned a reputation for execution, innovation, and community-centered results. A signature milestone in Banneker's journey came in 2024 with the completion of The Clara on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, a landmark project named after Clara Muhammad, in the heart of Washington's historic Anacostia neighborhood. The Clara features 81 units of beautiful affordable housing and 11,000 square feet of commercial space. The firm's forward momentum continues into 2025 and beyond, with a pipeline of real estate projects exceeding $1 billion, including over $300 million set to break ground this year. Upcoming developments will feature mixed-use, affordable housing, and community spaces across D.C. and Maryland. These projects are not only ambitious in scale—they are also deeply aligned with Banneker's commitment to equitable development and urban revitalization. To help steward this growth, Banneker recently named Eric D. Jenkins as Chief Operating Officer. A veteran of real estate and public-private partnerships, Jenkins brings two decades of experience and a strategic lens to scaling Banneker's operations. 'With Eric's leadership, we're elevating our capacity to drive transformative projects that meet the moment for the communities we serve,' said Omar, Banneker's CEO. At the core of Banneker's success is its vertically integrated model, allowing the firm to manage the entire development lifecycle in-house—from concept and financing to construction and long-term asset management. This structure delivers a rare combination of quality control, speed, and adaptability, giving Banneker a competitive edge in fast-moving urban markets. It also ensures alignment between vision and execution—a critical factor when working with public agencies, nonprofits, and private partners with high-stakes goals. Yet what sets Banneker apart most is its mission-driven ethos. The company is not just building structures—it's building futures. Through its nonprofit arm, The Banneker Foundation, the firm has invested over $4,000,000 in youth programming, STEM education, and community service initiatives. With bold projects on the horizon and a leadership team rooted in both excellence and empathy, Banneker Ventures is poised to shape the future of urban development in the Mid-Atlantic—and do so in a way that truly uplifts the communities at its heart.