A Family-Owned Company 50 Years Young
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!
Core Values
A Code of Conduct for Our Actions Both Inside and Outside the Company.
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 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
Natural Resource Conservation: CHR has reduced its footprint by over 80% since the 1970s and continues to seek further reductions in gas, oil, electricity, fossil fuels and water. Energy Star appliances are used throughout the portfolio.
Landscape Management: Irrigation smart controls are utilized at all properties, resulting in a 30% reduction in water usage. Plants are selected based on disease and pest resistance qualities so there is less reliance on pesticides. Grass clippings and leaves are composted and used for fertilizer.
Emissions Controls: Battery powered landscaping equipment is used at select properties, resulting in zero emissions and less noise pollution. Approximately one quarter of CHR’s communities are 100% smoke free. Electric car charging stations are being installed as space and need permit.
Recycling: A recycling program for collection of household waste is being implemented at 100% of CHR communities. Of these, six have onsite recycling centers.
Paperless Workflows: CHR implements paperless workflows companywide.
Sustainable Purchasing: All copy paper is manufactured from 30% recycled materials. Toilet paper and paper towels are Green Seal approved. Residents receive reusable shopping bags as move-in gifts.
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 2019, Chestnut Hill Realty’s charitable donations totaled more than half a million dollars (see chart).
Charity of the Month: Throughout the year, the Company sponsors fundraising and donation drives and encourages employee and resident participation. In 2019, these efforts included Toys for Tots (703 toys); Pine Street Inn (500 lbs. of food) and The Jimmy Fund.
Hope in Bloom: The Horticulture Department donates materials and labor to create a home garden for cancer patients.
Property-Based Philanthropy: CHR’s communities are active and have their own initiatives. One example is Move for Hunger, for which residents are asked to donate unused food when they are moving out of their apartments. In 2019, 1,198 lbs. of food was donated – the equivalent of 999 meals for families in need.
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 amenity spaces for meetings, mixers, or events.
News & Awards
In a national survey of multifamily companies conducted in October 2020 by the Best Companies Group, Chestnut Hill Realty was ranked 35th. CHR, with headquarters in Massachusetts, is among only four companies 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 first year that CHR has participated in the survey, and the ranking will be effective for calendar year 2021.
The Massachusetts Apartment Association (MAA) announced that Jennifer Murphy will serve as their President, effective January 1. Jen, who is Director of Marketing, joined CHR 25 years ago and will hold this office at MAA for one year. She is the third member of CHR’s management team (George McHugh in 2010 and Ed Zuker in 1989) to serve in this capacity. Jen has been an active member of MAA (previously known as the Residential Housing Association) for over 15 years and has participated in several noteworthy committees and initiatives.
The Massachusetts Apartment Association has recognized Hancock Estates, an 88-unit luxury apartment community nestled within the village of Chestnut Hill, with the award for a New Small Community. Due to COVID concerns, the awards ceremony was held virtually this year. Built in 2017, the community features several amenities. A deluxe lifestyle center offers a community lounge and activity room with kitchenette, a theater and entertainment suite, a home office center and video conferencing room, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Tom Higgins, Marketing Manager for Chestnut Hill Realty, has received the Massachusetts Apartment Association’s (MAA) Rising Star Award. Tom was honored at MAA’s annual achievement Awards event, which was held virtually this year. This new award category recognizes those newer to the industry, who are committed to making multifamily real estate a career, and who have gone above and beyond in their communities and careers.
Michael McHugh, Property Manager for Hancock Village since 2018, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Apartment Association (MAA) as 2020's On-Site Apartment Manager of the Year. The award was announced at their annual Achievement Awards event, which was held virtually this year. With 789 townhouse apartments, Hancock Village is CHR's largest property and Mike supervises a staff of over 25 employees, including the on-site management team, resident services, the maintenance and landscaping teams, and the construction liaison team.
Metro Housing Boston, a non-profit organization that provides services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security, and an improved quality of life, recently honored Ed Zuker, Founder and CEO of Chestnut Hill Realty, as their 2020 Housing Champion. The award was presented at the Champions of Housing gala on November 4, a live virtual Zoom event, that was well attended by a who’s who of real estate executives, community leaders and housing advocates.
Ed Zuker, Founder and CEO of Chestnut Hill Realty, is a founding board member and treasurer along with Eleanor White, Clerk and Barry Bluestone, Chair of the Board of Directors of Housing Forward-MA, a nonprofit housing advocacy group. Led by Josh Zakim, the Executive Director and former Boston City Councilor. The mission of Housing Forward-MA is to be a resource for pro-housing organizations and advocates by providing training, education and “research-backed” state- and local-level model policy proposals that help encourage the production of housing including affordable
Chestnut Hill Realty’s Ed Zuker has joined CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™. The members of this growing coalition, more than 1,000 strong, pledge 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 term “essential worker,” has taken on a deeper meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our teachers, medical professionals, law enforcement and delivery personnel, among others, are providing critical services needed by individuals and society-as-a-whole. In appreciation of their continuing commitment and bravery, CHR is offering special discounted pricing on apartment rents, and freezing rental increases for all two year lease terms.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 quarantine mandates in March, millions of American workers have transitioned to working from home either on a temporary or permanent basis. While some may have previously set up home offices, others have had to find creative ways to carve out sections of their residences.
“I just wanted to take a minute to thank the staff for their kindness and helpfulness— not just during this scary time— but also throughout the whole apartment search and leasing process. Your kindness has made starting over a good bit easier. Stay safe.” Cindy– Water View Village
"When I started at CHR, all the property management companies were selling, because the economy had tanked. But CHR was buying property, and I knew I wanted to be part of a company that operates like that." - Martin Schoolcraft, Service Manager, Waterfall Hills.
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.
"I’ve been in the market for an apartment for quite some time, and your staff made it an easy decision to choose the Regency. I’m not the easiest client, but all my questions were answered - no matter the time of day. They went above and beyond what is expected." Jared – Regency Plaza
“I just wanted to take a minute to thank the staff for their kindness and helpfulness— not just during this scary time— but also throughout the whole apartment search and leasing process. Your kindness has made starting over a good bit easier. Stay safe.” Cindy– Water View Village
"When I started at CHR, all the property management companies were selling, because the economy had tanked. But CHR was buying property, and I knew I wanted to be part of a company that operates like that." - Martin Schoolcraft, Service Manager, Waterfall Hills.
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.
"I’ve been in the market for an apartment for quite some time, and your staff made it an easy decision to choose the Regency. I’m not the easiest client, but all my questions were answered - no matter the time of day. They went above and beyond what is expected." Jared – Regency Plaza
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, a 30-day move-in satisfaction guarantee, 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.