Shown (from left) are: Chris Rodgers, CHR; Christeen Restante, Village Green; Robin Roberts-Pratt, Beatrice H. Wood School; Peter Poras, CHR Investments; Erika Jacques; Kate Campbell, Jackson Elementary School; David Raiche; Ed Zuker, CHR; Justin Alexander, Plainville Fire chief; Lauren Zuker Siff, CHR; Jennifer Thompson, Plainville town administrator; and George McHugh, CHR.

Plainville, MA Chestnut Hill Realty (CHR), a full-service real estate company specializing in multifamily housing, celebrated the completion of a new 9,075 s/f resident services and lifestyle center at Village Green apartments, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 23. In attendance were state and town officials, including Erika Jacques, representing state senator Richard Ross; Jennifer Thompson, Plainville town administrator; David Raiche, Plainville superintendent of schools; and Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce. The center represents the final phase of a $13 million property improvement program launched in 2009.

In honor of the occasion, CHR donated $2,500 to the Plainville Public Schools.

Since acquiring the 399-unit Village Green apartment complex in 2007–the largest multifamily rental property in Plainville–CHR has focused on enhancing the image and appearance of the community and upgrading its infrastructure and amenities. These investments include new landscaping and hardscaping to create a more welcoming entrance and park-like feeling to the property, resurfacing and painting building exteriors, renovating apartment units and hallways, and building and/or redesigning desirable amenities including a new resort-style pool and sundeck, tennis court, basketball court, and a resident services and lifestyle center.

The 9,075 s/f resident services and lifestyle center was designed by Boston’s Lowe Associates Architects, and includes a WiFi lounge, movie theatre, activity/function room, conference room, fitness center and an innovative home office center that are designed to extend the living area of Village Green residents, promote more interaction and opportunities for social activities, and enhance their enjoyment of Village Green.

“We don’t simply own and manage apartments at CHR, we build communities,” said Ed Zuker, founder and CEO of Chestnut Hill Realty. “We are always looking for new and creative ways to add value to our properties.” Zuker said he is especially pleased to introduce the home office center to the mix of amenities. “People want and need flexibility with regard to where they work. The workplace is no longer exclusive to a building where a company is based. Today’s workplace is anywhere you can find a WiFi signal, comfortable seating, and a little quiet space. We’re excited to be able to provide an attractive, state-of-the art space where residents can work independently, or even invite their colleagues for meetings.”

Also in the spirit of creating communities, CHR is launching a program called “Be Our Guest” to invite and encourage community organizations to use its amenity spaces at no charge. Village Green will be among a list of several other CHR communities to open its doors. “One of CHR’s core values is to support the communities where we have properties,” said Zuker. “Be Our Guest is a natural extension of this commitment.”

The strategic investments at Village Green have been well-received by current and prospective residents, according to property manager, Christeen Restante. “Our residents are very pleased with the changes that have taken place at the property over the past several years. It feels great to see them starting their day by stopping by for a free cup of gourmet coffee in the resident lounge, relaxing by the fireplace, and attending resident events in the activity room. We’re also attracting a wider demographic to our community, including younger couples who are looking for an alternative to the increasingly high rents in the Boston area, but don’t want to sacrifice quality and convenience,” said Restante.

Residents are not the only audience that have taken note of the improvements at Village Green. The Rental Housing Association, New England’s preeminent multihousing industry group, recognized Village Green with a Community of Excellence Award.

David Risko, vice president of property management said, “People ask if we’re done at Village Green, if we’ve completed everything we’ve set out to do. The answer to that is ‘no.’ The CHR way is to continually invest in our properties and keep them up to date while making them as livable as possible. We look forward to maintaining the highest levels of customer service and looking for opportunities for further enhancements in the future.”

Chestnut Hill Realty is one of New England’s leading residential real estate companies, specializing in multifamily housing. Established in 1969, CHR owns and manages nearly 4,800 units in 30 apartment home communities in Greater Boston and Rhode Island.