about us
Our History
It Started With A Single Property…
Berger Communities traces its roots to 1972, when two brothers set out to build something different in the Philadelphia real estate market - and never stopped.
Origin Story
In 1972, Jim Berger was 25 years old with a few years of real estate experience and a growing instinct for how apartment communities should be run. His brother Steve, 22, brought financial discipline from his background in accounting. Together, they saw a gap and decided to fill it. What started as a shared idea became a company built on doing things the right way, from day one.
The First Apartment Community
Their first acquisition was Robert Court Apartments in Havertown, PA, a 42-unit community that set the tone for everything that followed. Over the next four years, Jim and Steve steadily expanded their portfolio throughout Philadelphia, acquiring properties ranging from 24 to 295 apartments. Each one was a bet on the belief that well-managed housing changes lives.
The Early Years
The early years weren't without challenge. Operating in underserved neighborhoods required creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take the long view. But those experiences sharpened the company's values and laid the groundwork for the principles that still guide Berger Communities today.
The Success of the 1980s
By the 1980s, the hard work was paying off. Growth opened the door to suburban markets and new acquisition opportunities. As the company expanded, Jim and Steve made a deliberate choice: build a strong team, give people real ownership over their work, and never lose sight of what makes a community worth living in. It was a formula that worked, and they stuck with it.
The Passing of Jim Berger and the Future of the Company
When Jim passed in 2001, the company didn't skip a beat - because the culture he helped build was bigger than any one person. Steve carried the torch forward the same way they'd always operated: staying close to the work, empowering the team, and making sure every community lived up to the standard they'd set from the start.
2008–2013 Company Expansion
In 2008, Berger Communities moved its corporate offices to Wayne, PA, planting a deeper flag in the region as the portfolio continued to grow across Pennsylvania. Growth was never just about scale, it was about doing more of what worked: steady expansion, strong operations, and communities that people were proud to call home.
These 5 Years Were Marked By 5 Milestones
Secondary and Tertiary PA Markets
During this period, Berger Communities focused on secondary and tertiary Pennsylvania markets, where lower competition enabled strategic growth. By bringing professional management to underserved areas and expanding into student housing, the company created new opportunities while building a future pipeline of long-term residents.
Real Estate Broker and Third-Party Property Management
Berger Communities became a licensed Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker and began third-party property management, initially focusing on smaller communities. This expansion introduced a new dynamic - serving property owners as clients - while refining their approach and laying the foundation for scalable, service-driven growth.
Unified, Intentional Culture
As the portfolio grew, Berger Communities focused on building a unified, intentional culture across its communities and corporate team. Recognizing that success starts with its people, the company aligned around core values - creating a consistent, culture-driven organization designed to support growth.
The Berger Way
In 2012, Berger Communities rolled out “The Berger Way,” a set of 21 Fundamentals to live by. They believe that by focusing on the culture and team, they’ll continue to provide that “Ahhh, home” feeling to all residents. Furthermore, the company determined that it was committed to lasting growth, which would expand its team's opportunities.
Berger Real Estate Services
In 2013, after restructuring their organization for growth and fine-tuning their third-party management services, Dan and Steve decided it was time to launch a new division of Berger Communities that would cater specifically to their third-party clients. In July, Berger Real Estate Services was launched.
#1 in Customer Service
In 2021, Berger Communities was ranked #1 for customer service in our industry, a recognition that meant more than any award could capture. It was proof that the way we operate, the care we put into every community, and the team we've built over five decades was resonating. We've since maintained our place in the top 5 nationally, and that's not something we take lightly.
50 Year Company Anniversary
In 2022, we turned 50 and took a moment to really feel that. Half a century of homes, relationships, and growth across the Mid-Atlantic. 2022 also marked a pivotal rebrand and restructure for Berger Communities: not a cosmetic refresh, but a realignment of who we are and where we're headed. Modified brand, renewed purpose, same commitment.
Expansion into Ohio
In 2023, we expanded into Ohio, a milestone that reflected both the confidence we'd built and our belief that the right kind of growth is always worth pursuing. New market, same Berger standard.
12,000 Apartments
In 2026, we reached 12,000 apartments under management. It's a number that humbles us, because behind it are thousands of residents, families, and communities who've trusted us with something that matters: their home.
Looking Ahead
We've been in this business for over 50 years, and what keeps us going isn't growth for its own sake - it's purpose.
The belief that where you live matters, that how you're treated matters, and that a well-run community can genuinely improve someone's life. That belief is what drives our continued expansion into new states, new markets, and new opportunities to do what we do best.
As Berger Communities grows, so does our commitment: to bring more homes under our care, to spread a management philosophy rooted in people, and to keep raising the bar for what great apartment living looks like.
“We are energized by the past; but even more excited about our future!”
—Steve Berger, Founder
One Connected Approach
Berger Communities is a vertically integrated real estate company. Each entity plays a distinct role, all operating under one roof, guided by the same standards and vision.
Partners with investors to make strong financial decisions, drive impactful returns, and build lasting value across our portfolio.
Leads ground-up development from start to finish, managing each phase of new construction projects with precision and purpose.
Manages our commercial real estate portfolio, including the commercial within our mixed-use development projects.
Handles property management and operations across our communities, delivering hands-on service and day-to-day excellence.
Oversees capital improvements, renovations, and building systems across our portfolio, keeping our properties operating at the highest standard.
What Doing Business With Berger Looks Like
Simple & Transparent Communication
In everything we do, we communicate clearly and transparently, keeping everyone informed, aligned, and confident through every step of the process.
Experienced Real Estate Professionals
Individual and collective experience come together across our team, bringing knowledge, perspective, and expertise to every decision we make.
Working Towards Something Better
We’re always looking for ways to improve, to refine how we work, to support our communities, and to show up with purpose every day.
Flourishing From One Employee to Hundreds
What started with one employee has grown into a thriving team shaped by the same values, strong culture, and a commitment to growing together across every company.
Get In Touch
Looking to learn more about Berger Communities?
Whether it's our properties, career opportunities, or just a general question about our business - contact us today.
