Managing People’s Homes with Pride since 1969
Who We Are
A Leading Owner/Manager of Multifamily Communities in New England
Facts at a Glance
- Year Founded: 1969
- Mission: Managing People's Homes with Pride
- Vision: Chestnut Hill Realty is dedicated to sustainability and long-term strategic growth through its commitment to our residents, employees, investors, and the greater community.
- Founder and Chief Executive Officer: Edward E. Zuker
- Headquarters Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
- Employees: 220
- Portfolio Value: $1.5 billion
Owner/Manager of Apartment Properties
- Apartment Properties: 32
- Units: 5,000
- Locations
- Greater Boston: Boston, Brighton, Brookline, Canton, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Framingham, Newton, Norwood, Plainville, West Roxbury
- Rhode Island: Providence
- View a List of CHR Communities
Owner/Manager of Commercial Properties
- Square Feet: 180,000
- Property Types: Retail, Office, Medical Office
- Locations
- Greater Boston: Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Framingham
- Rhode Island: Providence
Our History at a Glance
Travel Through Time with CHR - No Ticket or Passport Needed!
People
Our team shares a common philosophy: deliver a quality product, provide excellent customer service, and foster an environment that attracts and retains the best people.
Chestnut Hill Realty's Ed Zuker
and Lauren Zuker-Siff discuss
how our Core Values influence
everything we do at Chestnut Hill Realty.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Chestnut Hill Realty is committed to promoting the values of inclusion, equity and belonging by supporting policies that promote these values while engaging the voices of our community to promote equality and compassion.
In September 2020, Chestnut Hill Realty Founder and CEO Ed Zuker joined CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. The members of this coalition, now more than 2,300 strong, pledged to take action to cultivate workplaces where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion. The Pledge aims to rally the business community to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace and society at large by working collectively across organizations and sectors.
Aiming to take a more structured approach to moving our diversity and inclusion agenda forward, CHR formed a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee. Seventeen employees from across our sites and departments volunteered to take part in this important initiative, beginning with the completion of a six-week intensive training program conducted by YW Boston. In collaboration with YW Boston, an action plan was created and later approved by senior leadership. The DEIB Committee’s mission, with the support of the Executive Leadership Team, is to help develop and nurture an organization that is more inclusive and where everyone can reach their full potential.
DEIB Committee Members (L to R): Kerri Speranza, Taylor Goldwater, Kaitlyn Hesse, Melissa Hartman, Heather Perry, Saige Munroe, Keiry Madera, Grant Haggerty, Lauren Zuker Siff.
A company-wide diversity conference, Inspiring Inclusivity 2022, was attended by the entire company of more than 200 CHR employees. Moderated by experts in the field, seminar topics included Courageous Conversations, Tips for Disability Belonging, Exploring Diversity, Talking Race at Work, and Words Matter. During the two, half-day sessions, employees were encouraged to spend time in a Learning Lab where information on Hispanic heritage, LGBTQ, women’s history and other related topic could be explored.
Chestnut Hill Realty prides itself on its long-standing commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the community. This commitment extends to its employees, residents, and the environment.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the practice of conserving natural resources and protecting global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future. Because so many decisions that impact the environment are not felt immediately, a key element of environmental sustainability is its forward-looking nature. Since Chestnut Hill Realty was founded in 1969, long before conservation and sustainability were popular buzzwords, we have looked for opportunities to lessen our impact on the environment. The signature initiative that encompasses everything CHR does to preserve and conserve natural and non-renewable resources and encourage healthy outdoor living is called Nature Positive.
Employee Development and Well-Being
Professional Development: CHR University’s curriculum includes programs for onboarding new employees, leadership development, and mentoring. Employees who participate in Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes Day develop stronger collaboration skills and relationships by doing a coworker’s job for one day.
Continuing Education Credential Programs: Leasing and Property Management employees receive instruction to qualify for advanced credentials including National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) and Certified Apartment Manager (CAM). Maintenance Services staff are eligible to obtain Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) credentials. The Maintenance Services Department also conducts in-house skills-based training at its Center for Maintenance Excellence training facility.
Health and Well Being: Programs for employees include wellness incentives and reimbursements, time off to volunteer, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and team building events sponsored by CHR’s Actively Coming Together (ACT) committee.
Insurance and Financial Planning: Benefits available to full and part-time employees include insurance (medical, dental, vision care, short and long term disability), 401(k) program, legal services, paid parental leave, student loan debt repayment, and flexible spending account.
Philanthropy and Community Service
Corporate Philanthropy: In 2023, Chestnut Hill Realty’s charitable donations totaled more than $1.3 million (see chart).
Charity of the Month: Throughout the year, CHR sponsors fundraising and donation drives and encourages employee and resident participation. In 2023, these efforts included National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($1,620), Pine Street Inn ($5,445) and Conquer Cancer Coalition ($11,065).
Opening Our Doors: In conjunction with Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ refugee resettlement program, CHR provided housing, day care and job placement assistance to refugee families in the Boston area to assist in their path to self-sufficiency. CHR’s support totaled more than $240,000.
Property-Based Philanthropy: CHR’s communities are active and have their own initiatives. One example is Move for Hunger where residents can donate nonperishable food items to benefit local food pantries. In 2023, 1,776 lbs. of food were donated – enough to provide 1,480 meals for those in need.
View 2023 Annual Report
View 2022 Annual Report
View 2021 Annual Report
View 2020 Annual Report
Resident Outreach
Property-Sponsored Resident Events: In keeping with the goal of building communities at CHR properties, the Company sponsors numerous resident events throughout the year so they can get together and interact with each other and the property management staff.
Community Outreach
The Be Our Guest program provides local businesses and non-profit organizations complimentary use of CHR’s corporate and property-based activity spaces for meetings, mixers, or events.
News & Awards
The Massachusetts Apartment Association has named Larry Goodwin as its 2022 Apartment Maintenance Supervisor of the Year.
Edvin Gudiel, Maintenance Technician at Hancock Estates, was selected by the Massachusetts Apartment Association (MAA) as the Apartment Maintenance Technician of the Year for 2022 at the Association’s recent President’s and Achievement Awards ceremony.
Marina Plowman, Resident Services Professional, and Javier Romero, Facilities Service Manager, at Regency Plaza were honored by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA), Allied Chapter, as Employees of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding achievements of employees in the hospitality, food service, tourism and allied industries. Award recipients are chosen by their bosses, co-workers and their customers.
Chestnut Hill Realty continues its investment in the Hancock Village apartment home community and its commitment to expanding local housing options with the recent addition of a three-story, 36-unit building. The Josiah Bartlett Building at 120 Gerry Road represents one phase of an ambitious multi-year plan that will include 175 units later this summer and the 250-unit Franklin building in spring 2024.
In a national survey of multifamily companies conducted in September 2021 by the Best Companies Group, Chestnut Hill Realty was ranked 35th. CHR, with headquarters in Massachusetts, is the only company in the rankings that have a presence in New England. The survey is conducted on an opt-in basis, and the respondents consisted of current CHR employees. This marks the second consecutive year that CHR has participated in the survey, and the ranking will be effective for calendar year 2022. “Teamwork is at the core of everything we do at CHR,” said Ed Zuker, Founder and CEO.
In a national survey of multifamily companies conducted in September 2021 by the Best Companies Group, Chestnut Hill Realty was ranked as a best place to work for women. Achieving a ranking of 15th, CHR is the only company that has a presence in New England. The survey is conducted on an opt-in basis, and the respondents consisted of current CHR employees. Ranking companies need a minimum of 15 women working in the organization or 25%, whichever is greater.
George McHugh, President of Property Management, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Apartment Association (MAA) as the recipient of their 2021 Industry Excellence Award. The award was announced at their annual Achievement Awards gala, which was held December 1 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston. The award acknowledges George’s significant contributions to the multifamily industry in a career that spans more than four decades.
An op-ed article penned by Jen Murphy, Director of Marketing at CHR and President of the Massachusetts Apartment Association (MAA), appeared in the Boston Business Journal. Jen points out that property management teams, and those that support them, belong among the many groups of unsung heroes during this pandemic; caring for residents and helping to keep them safe and comfortable in their homes during this stressful time. They are not traditionally identified as frontline works, but these dedicated professionals are on the frontlines nonetheless.
Chestnut Hill Realty held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony of the first phase of 175 units created under Chapter 40B on July 13. MassDevelopment was the subsidizing agency for the development and provided the tax-exempt and taxable bonds to help finance the new housing community.
The project, known as Residences of South Brookline at Hancock Village, are the first brand-new rental townhomes built at Hancock Village since the 1940s.
In keeping with CHR’s commitment to implementing green energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were recently installed at four of its apartment home communities in MA and RI. While these properties – Ridgecrest Village, Water View Terrace, Water View Village and Regency Plaza – are currently configured to allow two EVs to charge at once, each location has the infrastructure capacity to support up to 10 charging stations. The program was developed in partnership with Horizon Solutions, and will be operated by ChargePoint.
“I am thoroughly enjoying my stay in Hancock Village. The family-oriented environment has provided my children with a happy and healthy living space. We are so grateful to be part of this great community." Hancock Village/Brookline resident (Apartments.com review, Nov 2024)
"Being a part of the CHR organization has been a great experience for me. I’ve met wonderful people and have shaped great friendships. It’s a place where everyone knows your name." - Kelly Blanfort, Construction Operations Manager
Our industry peers continue to recognize our company, properties and staff with awards on a local, regional and national level.
Your home is much more than the walls that surround you. It’s also a sense of place and a feeling of comfort. One way we seek to enhance your home is with beautifully landscaped grounds.
Caring is a core value at CHR, one we take seriously and commit to through philanthropy and numerous outreach activities.
"Glad that I took the time to research various apartments before moving to MA. The experience I’ve had with Water View Terrace Apartments has been nothing but positive. The staff are so friendly and accommodating." Water View Terrace/Framingham resident (Google, Oct 2024)
“I am thoroughly enjoying my stay in Hancock Village. The family-oriented environment has provided my children with a happy and healthy living space. We are so grateful to be part of this great community." Hancock Village/Brookline resident (Apartments.com review, Nov 2024)
"Being a part of the CHR organization has been a great experience for me. I’ve met wonderful people and have shaped great friendships. It’s a place where everyone knows your name." - Kelly Blanfort, Construction Operations Manager
Our industry peers continue to recognize our company, properties and staff with awards on a local, regional and national level.
Your home is much more than the walls that surround you. It’s also a sense of place and a feeling of comfort. One way we seek to enhance your home is with beautifully landscaped grounds.
Caring is a core value at CHR, one we take seriously and commit to through philanthropy and numerous outreach activities.
"Glad that I took the time to research various apartments before moving to MA. The experience I’ve had with Water View Terrace Apartments has been nothing but positive. The staff are so friendly and accommodating." Water View Terrace/Framingham resident (Google, Oct 2024)
Preferred Employer Program
Special Discounts for Your Employees
Quality Housing, Convenient Locations
Our Preferred Employer Program (PEP) offers employees at participating companies access to a range of conveniently located unfurnished and furnished apartments in the Greater Boston area and Providence, RI, and a special discount up to $1000 off their first month's rent. Why join PEP? Chestnut Hill Realty has owned and managed apartment homes with pride since 1969. Residents living at our communities receive industry-leading customer service, 24/7 maintenance response, flexible lease terms, and much more.
Participating Companies
Employees receive personalized apartment search services to help find the home that's right for them. There are no fees or charges for companies or employees.
The list shown on the left represents some of the companies participating in our program. If you're an employee, please contact your HR or Benefits Manager to see if your company is enrolled.
If you're an employer, and would like to join our program, please Contact Us.
