Nick Melrose, founder and CEO of Melrose Ascension Capital (MAC), has over a decade of institutional and entrepreneurial real estate experience spanning development, acquisitions, private equity and investment banking. Throughout his career, he has been involved in the development and acquisition of several million square feet of property valued at over $1 billion in markets nationwide. He was recently recognized by Business Insider as one of 20 professionals under the age of 35 in the U.S. who are transforming the real estate industry.

In 2017, Alex established Fulton Street Companies, guiding its transformation from a startup to a dynamic real estate development firm. Specializing in diverse projects ranging from single-tenant retail to 500k square foot office buildings, under Alex's leadership, Fulton Street Companies has become a trailblazer in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood, particularly within its historic district. Alex's initiatives brought esteemed brands like Glossier and Louis Vuitton to Fulton Market, elevating it into a premier shopping destination, renowned as "the place to be" in the United States.