Do One Thing Really Well
Founded by Redwood’s Executive Chairman Steve Kimmelman in 1991, Redwood set out to create a business model focused on one unifying concept: reinventing the traditional apartment by giving renters the home they deserve.

“The decision to ‘do one thing really well’ was critical,” Kimmelman said. “Redwood develops and manages single-story apartment homes with two bedrooms and attached garages. While we are constantly refining our product and always striving to improve and be better, this remains our signature design.”

Keeping to its convictions and putting residents’ needs first has never failed. Redwood very deliberately refers to its apartments as “homes,” not “units,” because every aspect of living in a Redwood Neighborhood should feel like home.

This idea rings true for Redwood in everything from the quality of its construction to unique apartment amenities such as private entrances, personal patios, and bonus square footage, to the beautifully landscaped, green-centric neighborhoods, and the personal attention of caring property management teams. 

That attention to detail is key to resident satisfaction, an area where Redwood continues to excel. In 2021, 25 Redwood Neighborhoods made the ORA Elite 1% Power Rankings for having a minimum ORA score of 90. An ORA score is the multifamily industry standard for measuring and benchmarking online reputation. Shortly thereafter, Redwood placed second in Multifamily Executive’s list of Top 10 Division III companies with the most stellar online reputation. 

A Pivotal Moment
While Redwood has experienced remarkable growth over the past 30 years, the housing market collapse in 2008 was a defining moment in the company’s history.

The Redwood business model was already proving its success but gained popularity among a larger population who saw the potential of the concept and appreciated the benefits of renting over homeownership.

“It was a critical point for us because it was a time where there was no housing growth in the country,” Kimmelman said. “The housing market had collapsed, and cities became more open and responsive to a Redwood-style neighborhood than ever before. We were the only ones growing.”

The Team is Everything
Redwood’s people-centric approach extends far beyond its care and commitment to residents. Consistently named a top place to work in Northeast Ohio and beyond, Redwood is continually recognized for cultivating an engaging, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture. Redwood’s talented teammates are among the best in their field, are stewards of the vision and are critical to the company’s continued success. And they are quick to share their positive experience by recommending their friends and business connections to Redwood. These personal referrals are crucial to the company’s ability to grow and add top-quality team members. In fact, Redwood is currently hiring approximately 30% of those employee referrals, proving the importance of those connections and recommendations.

Redwood also consistently honors its commitment to align with investors, subcontractors, vendors, and cities, firmly believing that success should never come at anyone’s failure or expense. Redwood operates with a team-first mentality and considers all partners to be members of the Redwood Family. 

The Redwood Choice
Redwood’s approach has and always will be unique by combining the maintenance-free lifestyle of renting with the flexibility that homeowners enjoy. The commitment to flexibility is felt at every step of a resident’s journey. It starts at the beginning with the option to tour in person, virtually or via a self-guided format. It continues by allowing residents to choose from a wide variety of floor plans, along with an accommodating range of long- and short-term lease options to best suit their circumstances. 

Redwood residents also enjoy the ability to utilize the bonus space in their apartment homes any way they choose – as a home office, personal gym, extra sitting space, etc. They can decide to bring up to three pets (no weight restrictions!) and they also have the freedom to choose the types of recreational activities they wish to pursue since there are no shared common areas like community centers, pools, and workout facilities that everyone pays for, even if they are not using them. 

The Next 30 Years
Redwood’s vision and mission are driven by a unifying set of core values that have guided the business since its infancy and will continue to do so well into the future. The core values can be seen prominently on the walls of the organization’s new corporate headquarters, serving as a daily rallying cry for Redwood team members. 

1. Do One Thing Really Well 
2. Be Entrepreneurial
3. Serve Those You Lead
4. Deliver More Than Expected
5. Communicate Openly & Honestly 
6. Instill Family & Team Spirit 
7. Demonstrate Integrity & Authenticity
8. Be Nice & Have Fun

“Our long-term vision includes a Redwood Neighborhood in a suburb of every major American city,” said David Conwill, CEO of Redwood. “We’ll achieve that by staying true to the values that have formed our foundation for three decades and counting.”

Learn more about Redwood’s 30-year legacy of exceptional living.