Margarette Lee, Partner + CEO of Youngwoo & Associates, on Being Bold in Real Estate Development

Margarette Lee came to New York with a sketchpad, not a spreadsheet. She wanted to be an artist. Fast forward four decades, and she’s the Partner and CEO of Youngwoo & Associates, one of the most quietly creative real estate forces in the city. Her portfolio includes everything from the sculptural Chozos Resort in Mendoza, Argentina, to the game-changing Radio Hotel in Washington Heights. Oh, and she also beat out some of New York’s most powerful developers to transform Pier 57 into what is now Google’s NYC headquarters.

Born in Korea, raised around the world, and shaped by a childhood that included 19 schools across three continents, it’s no surprise Margarette found her way into hospitality. She’s a natural at navigating cultures, communities, and complexity. She also worked her way up—literally—from answering phones to running the entire show. Over the past 40 years at Youngwoo & Associates, she’s done every job, launched bold new projects, and kept pushing the envelope without ever settling.

We caught up with Margarette to talk real estate, hospitality, motherhood, and what it really takes to go the distance in a male-dominated industry.

How did your journey from Korea to New York City unfold?

My father worked for Korean Airlines, and they moved employees around every two years. We lived around the world—Vietnam, the United States, and many places in between. I ended up attending 19 different schools along the way. It sounds intense, but I didn’t think much of it as a kid. My parents didn’t ask how I was doing emotionally—they just said, "Pack up, we’re moving." It taught me resilience, flexibility, and a respect for different cultures.

How did you end up in New York? And what was your start in real estate?

After finishing my undergraduate degree in Washington state, I moved to New York City with my husband so we could both pursue our master’s in fine art. We were passionate about our work, but financially it was tough. Along with painting, in order to survive financially, I had to get got creative with cooking, using the cheapest ingredients––like potato.  I learned to make potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, potato soup, you name it. Tired of being so broke, we realized one of us needed a steady job. While I was still in school, I started working for an immigration lawyer. That job ended up opening the door to my real estate career.

How did that opportunity come about?

One of Youngwoo’s employees had been in an accident, and he asked the immigration lawyer I worked for if he could borrow someone to help. The lawyer sent me. I started out just filling in—but I never left. That was 40 years ago. I eventually earned my law degree and became licensed in New York and New Jersey, but after practicing for a bit, I realized real estate was where I truly belonged. My role at Youngwoo kept evolving, and I was drawn more and more to the creativity and complexity of development. 

And now you’re the CEO and Partner. What kept you growing within the same company all these years?

I’ve done every job at the firm—answering phones, accounting, leasing, development. That variety kept it interesting, and the work has never stopped evolving. We like to push boundaries. One standout was the Sky Garage condo building we developed in NYC in 2010, each unit came with its own parking space on the same floor accessed by a car-sized elevator, which was a novelty at the time. Then there’s our artist-driven hospitality work, like the sculptural Chozos and glamping suites in Mendoza, Argentina and the 221 room Radio Hotel in Washington Heights.  We were also one of the few developers who developed data centers in the 90’s (called Telco Hotels at the time).  We are currently concentrating on data center development around the nation. Even after 40 years, I still feel like I’m creating.

Pier 57 is home to Google's NYC offices

Tell us about Pier 57. It’s a major project—and you beat out some serious competition.

Yes, we were up against giants like Related and Durst. Pier 57 is a massive 680,000-square-foot structure built on three concrete caissons. The pier had been empty for years and originally burned down in the 1950s, so it was rebuilt as a "super pier" to prevent that from happening again. It took seven years and approvals from 29 different city and state agencies to bring our vision to life. While other developers proposed commercial uses like a rooftop cinema, we insisted the rooftop should be for the community. Today, it features more than 80,000 square feet of open public roof top space and is home to Google’s NYC headquarters. It was a turning point—for us and for the city.

Radio Hotel and Tower

You also developed the Radio Hotel in Washington Heights. Why there?

We saw a huge gap. Despite the large population and nearby institutions like Columbia University and major hospitals, there were almost no hotels in the area. Guests were being pushed to stay in Midtown. We wanted to change that by creating something local, vibrant, and community-first. The 221-room hotel offers accommodations in three sizes, each designed in a bold color—yellow, red, or blue—to reflect the energy of the surrounding Dominican community.

bathroom in the Radio Hotel in Washington Heights

Even our smallest micro rooms are efficient and intentionally designed to encourage guests to use shared spaces like the courtyard and the flavor-forward Jalao NYC restaurant, which has become a local hotspot. In addition to the hotel, we added event and office space, retail, and underground parking—transforming a once-contaminated former gas station into a dynamic mixed-use destination.

Chozos resort in Mendoza, Argentina

And what about Chozos Resort in Mendoza? It’s such a visually striking property.

We discovered the land while exploring new opportunities in South America. After purchasing over 2,000 acres in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza, we learned we had one of the best areas in Argentina for high-altitude grape cultivation. The land had been largely overlooked, but its potential was undeniable. We started planting and have now been growing grapes for 17 years, producing 13 varietals, including an award-winning icon blend that has already received international recognition.

What began as a wine project quickly evolved. We wanted people to experience the natural beauty of the land, so we developed Chozos Resort—15 sculptural villas inspired by the traditional stone dwellings used by native Argentinians in the 14th century. This project felt especially personal to me, as it drew directly on my background in fine art. We intentionally broke from the region’s usual adobe-and-copper design language, opting for a bold and artistic architectural approach. We also created four glamping suites designed by Argentine artist Sergio Roggerone and constructed by a sculptor using hand-woven straw. The result is immersive and serene—guests feel both grounded and inspired by the surroundings.

What’s your leadership style?

Creative. Persistent. Collaborative. You have to solve problems every day. We always say, think outside the box. That applies to design and development but also to people, process and problem solving.

What’s it like being the only woman in the room? Any advice for others in that position?

It still happens. Early on, people thought I was the secretary. Before virtual meetings, I’d speak to people on the phone, and they’d be surprised when they met me in person—a short Asian woman. I joke that I’m a triple minority: short, Asian, and a woman. I learned to sit in the middle of the table and speak up. You have to be extra prepared and say something smart right away. It helps earn respect. Over time, that respect builds—but it takes longer for women, especially women of color. You have to work harder, but it’s worth it.

You’re also a mom. How did you balance your family and career?

From a traditional viewpoint, my husband was the lead parent when our son was young, as his schedule as an artist was more flexible. He cooked most of the meals, handled school runs, and made sure things ran smoothly at home. I did my part too, but we had a clear system, and he carried the heavier domestic load. My parents moved from Korea after retiring and were also incredibly supportive in helping raise our son. Our son now calls me when he needs to make major decisions, and I love that. He’s just been accepted into NYU’s graduate program for film—we’re all very proud of him. I see so much of both of us in him: the creativity, the independence, the ability to think differently. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that come full circle.

Any advice for women wondering if they can "do it all"?

You can, but you need support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t give up your career just because you have a child. It might feel impossible in the moment, but in the long run, your kids will be proud of you—and you’ll be proud of yourself. I see that in my son’s face when he looks at the buildings I helped create.

Any last bit of wisdom?

Always give a little more than you think you need to. Whether it’s your partner, your team, or your family—that extra bit of effort keeps things in balance.

Margarette in a Minute

What’s your morning routine?  Drink coffee and wake up.  I’m not a morning person.  

What do you do for self-care?  When I go to other countries, places, for work, I try to at least take half a day to relax and have fun.  Do something for myself – get a massage, go shopping at the local market, etc.

Current favorite project?  Mendoza vineyard/hotel.

Philosophy in one line (or two)... “Always give a little more than you think you need to.”  When you give a little extra, everyone walks away happier and life has a way of sending that kindness back to you in one form or another. 

Best advice?  Every problem has a solution – it just takes creativity, persistence and belief in your ability to figure it out.  Never give up.