CRC News

Since our founding in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation has become a leader in the Mid-Atlantic real estate community. CRC began by acquiring houses in Baltimore City for sale and as rentals in the 1960’s and now boasts a diverse real estate portfolio encompassing shopping centers, apartment communities, mixed-use properties, office parks, flex space, warehouse buildings, restaurants and undeveloped land.  Additional examples of our company’s diversity in investments included the purchase of JF Theaters; a chain that expanded through the 1980’s and was sold to Loews in 1988, the decision to become a Burger King franchisee in 1989, the tripling of our residential division since 2002 and the entrance into the tax lien investment business. Our CR South Division continues to seek investment opportunities in the Florida area. Headed by Brett Forman and Kemp Deming, CR South expanded its portfolio in 2009 to include a brand new shopping center in Naples, Florida called Marquesa Plaza. CRC will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary throughout the year. 

In 2009, sixteen of our communities received the CEL A List in Real Estate Award, meaning they all earned at least a 90% score from our annual Resident Satisfaction Survey. Congratulations to our exceptional office and service staff for making our communities the best places to live. We salute Brook View, Cardiff Hall, Cross Country Manor, Donnybrook, Glen Manor, Hunting Hills, Mallow Hill, McDonogh Township, Northwood Ridge, Oaklee Village, Padonia Village, Park Raven, Reserve at Quiet Waters, Rock Glen, Stevenson Lane, and Westwinds. See the specifications here.

(from CityBiz Maryland Real Estate)

Original article available at the CityBiz website.

Continental Realty Corporation has collected more than 1500 pairs of shoes to be distributed to Haiti through the Soles4Soles organization, an international charity that donates footwear to needy people around the globe. Separately, the real estate firm has donated $15,000 to the American Red Cross and various other charities earmarked specifically for Haitian residents.

The company-wide effort gained traction from the efforts of one employee - Charmaygne Litz - who works in the legal department of the company. Charmaygne, familiar with the international charity work performed by Soles4Soles, also knew that Continental Realty was a passionate contributor to worthy causes and she decided to marry the two groups together.

"With twenty-four apartment communities in our portfolio containing more than 15,000 residents, we realized that we could quickly communicate with and mobilize the efforts of a significant amount of people," explained Anne Angel, Marketing and Training Director for Continental Realty Corporation. "After distributing a flyer asking residents and employees to donate shoes benefiting the Haitian cause, the footwear started to quickly flow in. And -- quite remarkably - the outpouring has not stopped. The contributions also came from adjacent apartment communities and word about the effort spread into area companies," she added.

A resident living at Padonia Village Apartments talked about the shoe drive at a local technology company where she works, and more than 300 pairs were quickly donated. Firms "stepped in" in other ways as the Von Paris Moving and Storage company donated boxes for use in the shipping process.

The company delivered the shoes, which is comprised of an assortment of new and gently-used footwear, to Haiti last week. The monetary donation was collected exclusively from Continental Realty employees in the local area and 100% matched by the company.

"The response to our call for help was swift and over-whelming. The most gratifying element of the collection effort was the demonstration of the human spirit, combined with the passion and enthusiasm people showed for this project. We were especially appreciative of the volume of new shoes we received, with some still in their original boxes," Angel added.

"This effort is clearly an example of how the vision of one person can make a significant difference throughout a large organization," explained JM Schapiro, Chief Executive Officer of Continental Realty. "Our corporate culture allowed us to embrace a good idea and, most importantly, rally others to help those in need. It was amazing to see how the idea spread from our company to the apartment communities and onto other area organizations. We have always believed in giving back to the community and we're thrilled to be able to do our small part to help those devastated by the earthquake," he added. 

In 2009, CRC hired several new employees. We welcomed Gale Griffin as Administrative Assistant to Lawrence Rief, Meredith Gerecht as Office Clerk, Lisa Perkins as a Commercial Property Manager and Nancy Neal as an Accountant. Attorney Denise Stanley joined the legal team to focus on commercial leasing projects.

2009 also brought a strengthening of our Commercial Leasing Team as we brought the leasing broker piece of this business in house. We welcomed Kristina Kassolis O’Keefe as a Senior Leasing Representative. She joined David Donato, newly promoted to Vice President of the Commercial Division and Blake Dickinson, our Commercial Leasing Representative.