Gambino Realtors Celebrates 100 Years: FM Gambino - A Visionary in Development

The founder of Gambino Realtors, FM Gambino, had a strong belief and determination to develop neighborhoods in the Forest City. He was a forward thinker and desired to create spaces within our community from the ground up. Soon after he set out to focus on development and new construction, FM Gambino designed and constructed the first planned unit development in Rockford, Montague Heights. FM Gambino Agency, our original company name, would primarily serve as a development and construction firm during the early years. Montague Heights set the tone for FM Gambino's goal - community development.

The company continued to grow and evolve into Gambino Realtors, serving as a construction and real estate agency. Neighborhood developments include Guilford Country Club Estates, Shaw Woods, Shaw Farms, Shaw Meadows, Deer Woods, Prairie Ridge, Wood Meadow, EastWood Estates, Winterwood Subdivision, Willowbrook Subdivision, and University Center.

"My grandfather was a visionary," said Gambino Realtors Owner Frank Gambino. "For example, with Guilford Country Club Estates, the Chrysler Plant in Belvidere was being built. FM purchased the land and created the neighborhood because he knew that workers in Belvidere would want a location on the East Side of Rockford to settle and raise their families."

City infrastructure, such as sewer and water, was unavailable when FM began development on the east side. The neighborhoods were considered rural. The Gambino Family relocated from the original Montague Heights neighborhood and resided in the communities they developed.

FM Gambino's sons, Paul and Joe, grew the company into a full-service real estate agency and continued their father's vision. Paul and Joe passed the legacy of community development to Frank Gambino and Jon Krause, who have owned and operated the agency since 1998.

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