2021 was a momentous year for Heritage Properties, full of growth and new goals. As we head into another year, our team is looking back on the highlights, achievements, and top memories from the last 12 months. Here’s to 2022!
This year began with an exciting development for our own team: the announcement of a new company president and a new mission statement. Brian Bush passed the torch to his son Jeff Bush this past January, making Jeff the third generation of the Bush family to lead Heritage Properties. Our family-owned history inspired our new mission statement, which was revealed following Jeff stepping into his leadership role. Speaking to our ethos over the past 40+ years, our mission statement, “we put people first,” highlights our dedication to prioritizing residents, staff, and our surrounding communities. It also reflects our company culture and the way we strengthen relationships within our communities and within our team.
Following these pivotal changes for Heritage Properties, 2021 also granted us the opportunity to showcase our properties and even be recognized for one in particular. Back in April, we entered Waterhead into the Multifamily Executive (MFE) Awards, an annual celebration of the apartment industry’s most innovative projects, people, and initiatives across the nation. In September, members of our team headed to Las Vegas, NV to attend the MFE Awards Ceremony and were honored with a “Project of the Year” award for Waterhead. A historic apartment community in Lowell, Waterhead was selected as a “Project of the Year” from nearly 300 entries within 13 categories and was deemed “Grand Winner” in the Adaptive Reuse category. Thank you to Multifamily Executive and the entire jury for selecting Waterhead - and thank you to our team and our partners (Gavin & Sullivan Architects and PC Construction) for all of your support.
We were also able to give back in 2021 and act on our commitment to the communities we serve across New England. Over the summer, we volunteered with Families in Transition, a local non-profit based out of New Hampshire that designs and delivers solutions to empower individuals and families to prevent and break the cycle of homelessness. Our team was tasked with volunteer work at a local food pantry or yard work and landscaping at a soon-to-be community garden. Thank you to Families in Transition for all of your incredible work! We also supported Toys for Tots this past month, hosting a virtual holiday toy drive for three Toys for Tots foundations at each of our local communities. We were able to surpass our fundraising goals and assist Toys for Tots in providing toys, books, and other gifts to local children. Thank you to all that donated!
2021 was a year of progress and updates - including changes to our website and one of our properties! This spring, we launched this blog in an effort to share the most up-to-date company news and helpful info for our community and residents. We also revamped our apartment search process, finding new ways to make it as seamless and enjoyable for prospective residents as possible. Our Lowell community at Meadow Lane also got a few updates of its own - with a picturesque pool renovation, a modified logo, and an updated website.
Last but not least, we rounded out the year with a new portfolio addition! Just this month, we announced The Belmore - a newly renovated residential community in North Providence, RI that features modern apartments with timeless appeal. We’re excited for many great years ahead at The Belmore and look forward to strengthening our community relationships in Rhode Island and across New England.
As we plan for the year ahead and work on progressing a few exciting projects in the pipeline, we hope that all of our team members, neighbors, and community members have a healthy and happy new year. See you in 2022!