Chestnut Hill Realty held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies marking the completion of 48 new apartment units and a series of civic improvements along Washington St. on October 13th. Both ceremonies were attended by Boston mayor Thomas Menino and other local dignitaries. The recently completed $12 million project brings Chestnut Hill Realty's Ridgecrest Village Apartments to a total of 389 apartment homes while revitalizing the entire community with the construction of a new pool, and fitness center, a reconfiguration of the site and expansion of on-site parking. The new 48-unit building at 125 Edgemere Rd. was the site of one of the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. A second ribbon-cutting was held at the new entrance to the Beethoven School Play Area on Washington St. Chestnut Hill Realty recently conducted a series of beautifying streetscape and neighborhood landscaping and signage projects along a large stretch of Washington St., including the creation of a new entryway into the Beethoven School schoolyard with brick columns and wrought-iron fencing and archway. In addition to the schoolyard entryway, Chestnut Hill Realty created new brick entrance and exit walls with signage for the Beethoven School, as well as new crosswalks and ramps for students. CHR also created new landscaping and a brick entrance wall with signage for "Engine 55" at the Washington Street Fire Station. Other neighborhood improvements included the installation of new planters in the Washington Street median strips. Approximately 75 people attended the Beethoven School Play Area ribbon-cutting ceremony, including many children from the school, who along with Mayor Menino and Chestnut Hill Realty founder and CEO Ed Zuker planted daffodil bulbs in the school yard flower beds. "I am pleased to open this new 48-unit building in West Roxbury. Chestnut Hill Realty should be proud of its contributions to the community. This $12 million development adds great new amenities to the Ridgecrest Village community," Mayor Menino said. "I also want to thank Chestnut Hill Realty for its improvements to the grounds of the Beethoven School and Play Area and our Engine 55 firehouse." The new apartment building at Ridgecrest Village features a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, an elevator, ample parking, easy access to public transportation and includes several unique design elements created by Gary Lowe, principal of Lowe Associates-Architects of Chestnut Hill. The three-story, 49,200 s/f building expands a rich neighborhood of 341 apartment units already owned and operated by Chestnut Hill Realty at Ridgecrest Village. In all, Chestnut Hill Realty owns and operates 648 apartment units in West Roxbury. Chestnut Hill Realty also recently built a new in-ground swimming pool and fitness center to enhance the amenities at the property. Chestnut Hill Realty acquired Ridgecrest Village in two phases in 1981 and 2003, and since then has invested more than $5.2 million in infrastructure, landscaping and unit improvements. "We take great pride not only in improving our apartment communities, but also the neighborhoods in which they are located," said Zuker, Chestnut Hill Realty's CEO. "It is very gratifying to have Mayor Menino recognize Chestnut Hill Realty's efforts to make West Roxbury a place people are proud to call home." The 25 new one-bedroom units at the new 125 Edgemere Rd. building will be leased with a starting price of $1,650 per month, while the 23 two-bedroom units are priced starting at $1,950 per month. The rental rates include heat, cooking gas and water. Chestnut Hill Realty has been active for many years in the upkeep of the neighborhood, maintaining the Holy Name Rotary, a stretch of the VFW Parkway and donating labor and materials annually to Mayor Menino's Boston Shines program. Beethoven School Play Area ribbon cutting. Shown in front row (from left)are: Ridgecrest Village property manager Kelly Higgins; Olivia Waishek, West Roxbury Civic and Improvement Association; Boston mayor Thomas Menino; and Chestnut Hill Realty founder and CEO Ed Zucker. Shown in back row (from left) are: Ann Cushing, district director for senator Michael Rush; Chestnut Hill director of development Marc Levin; Beethoven Elementary School principal Eileen Nash; and West Roxbury Neighborhood Representative Cathy Cummings. Ridgecrest Village Apartments ribbon cuting. Shown in front row (from left) are: Ridgecrest Village property manager Kelly Higgins; Chestnut HillRealty founder and CEO Ed Zuker; Ann Cushing, district director for senator Michael Rush; Boston mayor Thomas Menino; and Olivia Waishek, West Roxbury Civic and Improvement Association. Shown in back row (from left) are: Chestnut Hill Realty Director of Development Marc Levin and West Roxbury Neighborhood Representative Cathy Cummings.