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

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.

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

Central to our values is our investment in the growth, health and well-being of our employees to foster an inclusive, supportive and thriving workplace. For five consecutive years (2021-2025), CHR has received national recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Multifamily. CHR has also ranked in the top 25 nationally as a Best Places to Work in Multifamily for Women for three consecutive years (2023-2025).

Professional Development: CHR is committed to fostering the growth of its team by providing thorough onboarding for new employees, leadership development programs, mentoring opportunities, and access to local and national conferences and seminars.

Continuing Education Credential Programs: Leasing and Property Management employees receive instruction to qualify for advanced credentials including Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP) 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), annual department appreciation day events, and an annual team building and wellness conference.

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 2024, Chestnut Hill Realty’s charitable donations totaled $1.1 million (see chart). More than 300 organizations benefitted from CHR donations, including Boston Children’s Hospital ($150,000), Brookline Teen Center ($25,000) and The Jimmy Fund ($10,000). 

Charity of the Month: Throughout the year, CHR sponsors fundraising and donation drives and encourages employee and resident participation. In 2024, these efforts included the Pine Street Inn ($6,319), Globe Santa ($2,476), and the Urban League of Eastern MA ($2,010). 

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. Since our partnership with Move for Hunger began in 2020, we have collected 4,302 pounds of food, enough to provide 3,585 meals for those in need.

View 2024 Annual Report
View 2023 Annual Report
View 2022 Annual Report
View 2021 Annual Report
View 2020 Annual Report

Resident Outreach

Property-Sponsored Resident Events: Neighbors develop friendships and build a strong sense of community through a multitude of resident events held throughout the year. Popular, well-attended events include pool parties, Bingo nights, winter carnivals, fitness classes, holiday celebrations and food truck visits. 

Community Outreach

CHR builds partnerships with local organizations to benefit the well-being of the communities we serve. From fostering relationships with the business community to working with local groups to help address critical needs, these collaborations confirm our enduring commitment to social responsibility and to enhancing the vitality of the neighborhoods we call home. 

Our 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. 

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.