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

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.

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.