Since founding Chestnut Hill Realty in 1969 and under his continued leadership as Chief Executive Officer, Edward Zuker has overseen the Company's considerable growth while simultaneously ensuring a lasting commitment to its core mission: "Managing People's Homes With Pride." Operating first in Brookline, Massachusetts, CHR has expanded significantly under Ed's leadership, with current property holdings and communities extending across greater metropolitan Boston and its suburbs and into Rhode Island. Managed properties are valued at $2 billion. CHR's portfolio now includes 5,000 residential units and 160,000 square feet of commercial property.
As one of five generations of the Zuker family to be active in real estate, Ed is a dedicated industry advocate and leader. He has served as President of the MA Apartment Association (MAA) and the Brookline Property Owner's Association, and Vice President of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB). Of the many accolades he has received across his long career, he was recognized with the highly selective MAA Industry Excellence Award.
In addition to his industry service, Ed is devoted to giving back to his community. Under his guidance, CHR has maintained a robust program of charitable giving and support; his philanthropic efforts as an individual are equally deserving of merit. He is an innovative supporter of Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and many other organizations. A dedicated percentage of income from each Chestnut Hill Realty apartment community is earmarked for donations to support local charities and community services.
In the 1980s, Ed chaired the Homeless Committee for the Massachusetts Apartment Association (formerly known as the Rental Housing Association), where he also established the November food drive at the Pine Street Inn, and toy collections through Toys for Tots. These programs included members of the multifamily apartment industry, staff, and residents; later he served as the President of the Association in 1989.
CHR housed over 300 families in the 1980s, when Russian immigrants came to the U.S. For the past three years, CHR has worked with refugees arriving to the U.S. from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela, helping over 200 families resettle into CHR’s Greater Boston communities.
Ed spearheaded the creation of the West Roxbury Community Center, and currently serves as Chair of the Real Estate Council of B'nai B'rith Housing New England, an organization that has recognized his philanthropy with numerous awards, including that for Distinguished Achievement. Ed was recognized with the Mollie L. Moon Volunteer Service Award for his contributions as Chair of the Building Committee for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, providing education, training, and job placement opportunities. Most recently Ed received the Humanitarian Award from GBREB in June 2019, the Housing Champion Award from Metro Housing Boston in November 2020, the Boston Real Estate Times Lifetime Achievement Award in December 2020, and the Max Michelson Humanitarian Award from Jewish Family Services of MetroWest in 2023.
Teaching and mentoring others is important to Ed. He served as a guest lecturer at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and presently speaks to students at Fisher College.
A Brookline native, Ed studied finance and architecture at the University of Miami where he received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Boston.