Ben McDonald, Founder

I grew up in a food family. My mom’s side is packed with gifted home cooks. My Parisian grandfather, once the pastry chef at the U.S.’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, owned Baltimore’s beloved Bonjour Bakery. And my father owned restaurants, including the award-winning Brass Elephant. Food wasn’t just on our tables—it’s in my DNA.

I began apprenticing with my grandfather as a teenager, igniting a deep love of cooking. I spent hours experimenting, reading, and watching YouTube cooking videos, and eventually started working in restaurant kitchens. At the same time, my interest in real estate was quietly growing. In 2012, I met Thibault Manekin of Seawall Development—the visionary developers behind Remington’s revival—who gave me a start as an intern. I learned from the ground up, working on townhouse renovations and special projects.

I thought I’d stay in the food business full-time, with long stretches at Bonjour, Baltimore restaurants, and my own pop-ups—but I was always pulled toward the intersection of food and place. Eventually, I returned to Seawall to work on F&B and retail projects like Lexington Market, Doppio, The Charmers Club, House 28 Matcha, the operations at R. House, and others still in the works.

Gatherworks is the culmination of my journey. Now, I’m taking what I’ve learned beyond Remington—partnering with developers, food entrepreneurs, and economic leaders to bring built environments to life through the power of gathering. I know that the right concepts, in the right place, can transform neighborhoods, creating places where people love to live, work and gather. I look forward to bringing your space to life.