WE THRIVE ON CHALLENGES
We love brainstorming solutions. We’re a can-do outfit. We’re excited by design innovations and the use of new materials. We love creating ‘liveable art,’ making the unexpected happen, and delivering a ‘wow.’
We build on experience.
We have a deep understanding of construction and we’re singularly focused on building great projects. We collaborate with talented architects and best in class tradespeople to bring a design vision to life. Complex designs and construction challenges excite us. Our ability to manage the unexpected and find alternative ways for our clients to get what they want, earns our partners’ trust. For over 20 years, we’ve been building to the highest standard. Quality is our hallmark.
We align people and projects.
We believe in the partnership between architect & builder, and we love when clients are involved. Our network of skilled workers is strong; our tradespeople are best in class. We value honesty, dependability and we focus on long-lasting relationships. We bring everyone on the project together and include them in our process—every team member matters.
We protect the process.
Custom construction comes with custom challenges, and we’re committed to the seamless management of every project. Our partners value our expertise and knowledge. We serve as the eyes and ears that add a layer of protection to each step of the building process. At every stage of a project, we take great care to do whatever it takes to build homes in which our clients feel comfortable.
Melissa Kartzman
Melissa is a recognized expert in luxury residential construction regularly sought after for her unparalleled talent and uncompromising attention to detail. As the CEO of Toka Builders, she ensures each project reflects the client’s personal style and vision while maintaining both maximum efficiency and quality. She has more than 20 years of experience and has managed over $250 million of projects across New York City, Westchester, and Southern Connecticut.
Melissa founded Toka Builders in 2021 to combine her passion for architecture and design with her singular belief that nothing compares to the comfort of a home that feels uniquely yours. Prior to launching the firm, she served as Managing Partner at Interior Management, where she led high-end development projects for 15 years.
Melissa has a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh. She was raised in Briarcliff, NY, and currently resides with her family in Chappaqua, NY.
FOUNDER AND CEO
Martin King
Martin is a highly skilled professional and an authority on managing diverse and complex construction projects. He brings more than twenty years of expertise and global experience to his role as COO, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s development projects, from design and planning to contracts, construction, and beyond. With Toka Builders, he has managed over $40 million of residential projects alone.
Prior to joining Toka in 2022, Martin worked for Sandemar Inc. on many of its high-end projects in New York, Connecticut, and Miami. He was also a Senior Project Manager at Interior Management.
Martin’s background spans other markets, as well. His construction career began in his native Ireland, then developed over seven years in Australia, working on a series of residential and large-scale commercial projects. From there, he was recruited to Colombia as a Commercial Manager overseeing all financial planning and risk management on a high-profile oil and gas project in Cartagena.
Martin earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Economics from Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland. He currently resides in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family.
PARTNER AND COO
“Our attention to detail is relentless. We are laser focused on implementing a seamless process. Our team brings more than 20 years of experience and creativity to each job and we’re committed to the seamless management of every project.”
— Melissa Kartzman, Founder