On October 11 the Institute of Real Estate Management Boston Chapter #4 hosted a visit of 40 members from The Japan Condominium Management Companies Association to the Boston Area. The group was co-hosted by two AMO firms specializing in condominium management: Crowninshield Management Corp.and Thayer & Associates.
The Japan Condominium Management Companies Association represents over 400 of the largest condominium management companies in Japan and has CPM's (Certified Property Managers) as part of their group. IREM takes great pride in all of its chapters both here in the States as well as in all the chapters around the world. There are 18 international chapters. The Boston Chapter has shared a special affection for The IREM Japan Chapter over the years.
The group first toured The Crowninshield offices housed in the historic Crowninshield mansion in Peabody Ma built in 1818. The property was converted into apartment housing by Mr. Collier along with other investors and Crowninshield Management Corporation was born in 1973. Crowninshield has grown over the last four decades to manage over 6,000 units. The company is now run by Deborah Collier-Comins CPM, PCAM, ARM CMCA, president and Stuart Comins CPM, PCAM, CMCA, vice president.
The Japan Condominium Management Companies Association enjoyed a presentation of Crowinshield's corporate structure, marketing strategies and client services presented by Deborah and Nick Ruccolo CPM, PCAM, CMCA vice president. Nick was the Boston Chapter president in the year 2000. It was under his year as president that the international committee was started.
Ralph Noblin P.E. of Noblin and Associates LLC, one of the leading condominium engineers in the area, provided a presentation on reserves and construction needs of condominiums in the New England area. Ralph addressed major repairs on a high rise in the Boston area. Numerous questions were raised regarding contractors and the repair process.
The group was bussed from Peabody to the 50-60 Longwood Association property in Brookline. The Japan group was interested in touring a high rise association that has undertaken major renovations. 50-60 Longwood was the perfect location to illustrate such renovations. The property is managed by Thayer and Associates. Thayer & Associates has a long history of in managing property in New England.
Holding Key No. 15, the late Harry A. Gilbert was one of the first Certified Property Managers (CPM) in the country. In 1932, he established the real estate firm, The Gilbert Companies, Inc.
Three generations of Gilbert's family have owned and operated the business, including his grandson and current owner, Douglas Gilbert Thayer CPM. In 1987, Thayer acquired the company and incorporated Thayer & Associates, Inc. Doug Thayer, CPM was the 1991 IREM Chapter president.
Thayer & Associates continues to serve many of the clients it acquired in 1987 from the Gilbert Companies, currently managing more than 50 residential and commercial properties consisting of nearly 5,000 units. The company is distinguished by a history of high stability, high quality service and enduring relationships with its clients.
Special thanks to David Barrett, CPM, ARM from Crowninshield and Candice Morse, CPM, ARM from Thayer & Associates for taking the lead and making this event a huge success. The Boston Chapter received many thanks from Japan Condominium Management Companies Association members who visited us in October.
Jonathan Donahue, CPM, ARM, 2012 president of IREM Boston, Chapter #4 and David Barrett, CPM, ARM, 2012 vice president of IREM Boston, Chapter #4.