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Rachuba and Ausherman Properties have banded together to bring more high quality living experiences to Frederick, Maryland.

At Rachuba, we are committed to helping property owners and investors in the Mid-Atlantic region succeed, while creating communities that people are proud to call home. Our recent partnership with Ausherman Properties, a leading development and investment company in Frederick, Maryland, presents a new and exciting opportunity for us to build lasting value by supporting their mission to make Frederick County a vibrant place to live, work, and play.

Get to Know Ausherman Properties

Ausherman Properties traces its roots back to 1951 when Ernie Ausherman began building homes and a true reputation for quality. Since 1997, his son, Marvin Ausherman, has led and grown the company and continues to expand their portfolio of residential rentals and multi-family projects. With over 70 years of investing in and developing real estate in Frederick County, Ausherman Properties continuously aims for the highest caliber development projects that enhance Frederick’s landscape and communities.

“We had heard nothing but great things about Ausherman,” shares our President and CEO Theresa Leatherbury, CPM®. “Their company has been bringing excellent homes to the Frederick community for years, and we’re honored to have the chance to bring that same level of property management services to their residents.”

Unpacking the Partnership

Through a mutual connection from the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, our Rachuba leadership was connected with the Ausherman Properties team to discuss a potential third-party property management partnership. “From the conversation, we found that our values aligned very well with theirs,” says Leatherbury. “It was a truly perfect fit.”

In November 2024, Rachuba officially began working with Ausherman to provide property management services for one of their properties—consisting of 44 newly constructed townhomes in an up-and-coming area in Frederick. Services include working directly with residents, finding future residents, handling maintenance requests, reporting to Ausherman, and so much more.

“We feel like we’ve found a partner we can trust in Rachuba,” shares Sue Carroll, project coordinator at Ausherman Properties. “We admire their management of properties, keeping each looking great and operating efficiently while serving tenant needs. We value their investment in technology to serve their clients and tenants, and their friendly approach to building communities. Also, their robust reporting helps us inform our decision making. Our tenants have already noted their responsiveness to needs since we began working with them.”

After the first few months of initial partnership, Rachuba took on management of two more Ausherman properties—both of which are Ausherman legacy projects located downtown—bringing the total to three locations in Frederick.

Exploring the Ausherman Properties Managed by Rachuba

The first Ausherman property that Rachuba began management of in November 2024, includes 44 newly constructed townhomes at the Terrace at Sycamore Ridge on the west side of Frederick. This set of development offers a great opportunity for renters seeking more living space, a yard, garage, and deck. The adjoining residential project, Sycamore Ridge, includes 200 single family homes and 256 townhomes.  Other amenities include a community park, walking paths, and a playground and tot lot.

In January of 2025, Rachuba proudly began managing two Ausherman legacy projects, the first of which is Kemp Hall Lofts and Studios. Located at one of the city’s most prominent intersections at Church and Market Streets, the property is anchored by two longstanding retail tenants on the first floor, Candy Kitchen and Wastler’s Barber Shop. In 2019, the remainder of the Civil War era building was completely renovated into 18 apartment units including studios, 1-bedroom spaces, and modern lofts.

Just south of Kemp Hall, is 69 S. Market, the second of the legacy projects. With four 2-bedroom apartment units and a retail space, this iconic building is also located at one of downtown Frederick’s most notable sites on Carroll Creek, a city hub for year-round arts and entertainment. In 2020, the addition of a mural on the building honoring one of Frederick’s great jazz musicians, Lester Bowie, only enhanced the appeal and deepened the connection to the area’s rich arts scene. The building’s first floor retail tenant, Bakehouse, has become a Frederick landmark in its own right in its short four-year history. Patrons line up and down the block for a taste of their croissants, cookies, cakes, and other great pastries. 

Looking to the Future of Property Management Partnership

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with such a respected company, and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s to come down the road,” shares Leatherbury. “Rachuba keeps its finger on the pulse of changing markets and management approaches,” adds Carroll. “The data, reporting, and technology tools they offer help us stay informed and nimble in the constantly changing residential and commercial markets.”

To learn more about Rachuba’s property management services, visit our website or contact our corporate office by phone at (410) 781-3400. 

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“In my position, I conduct tours of the apartments, grounds, and amenities and I help prospects with the application process,” shares Brittney. “I’m often in close communication with residents, prospects, and vendors, whether I’m scheduling resident events or coordinating a maintenance repair. You can also find me in the office collecting rental and move-in payments, assisting with the lease renewal process, or assisting with move-ins and move-outs.”

Brittney was drawn to Rachuba for its values as a family-owned business and because of its employee retention rate. “Throughout the interview process, I loved learning that everyone who works for the company has been employed with them for many years,” says Brittney. “That alone resonated well with me—I immediately knew that Rachuba is an amazing place to work. I was also impressed with the awesome reviews for the properties and company!”

One of Brittney’s favorite things about being a resident success coordinator is being able to confidently assist people and families with finding and moving into a great new home. “My advice for anyone who wants to be a resident success coordinator is to believe in yourself, never be afraid to ask for help, and remember that this is a business for helping people,” states Brittney. “As a resident success coordinator, it’s important that you genuinely care about people’s needs and have patience with them.”

Prior to being a resident success coordinator at Piney Ridge, Brittney has held positions as a leasing specialist, leasing manager, and property manager and she has her National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) certification. She hopes to uphold Rachuba’s mission and core values by always having and displaying integrity and being a team player. “Rachuba’s leaders always show respect, hard work, dedication, and good morals, and they really care about the staff as well as the residents and communities,” says Brittney. “I’m grateful to be part of the Rachuba Family and I look forward to many wonderful years of experiences and growth.”

Quick Facts About Brittney Johnson

• Her favorite piece of career advice is to always remain a student because no matter the job title or stature, you should never stop learning and being a student of your craft!
• When she’s not at work, you can find Brittney spending time with family and friends, participating in philanthropic activities, traveling, cooking, listening to music, and reading.
• One of her favorite quotes is, “be the reason someone smiles today!”

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, andInstagram to keep up with our incredible team at Piney Ridge Apartments & Townhomes!

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“Right from the start, I appreciated Piney Ridge and its sister properties for being well kept and having an elegant appearance,” says Dakota. “I can genuinely say that I’m proud to work at a place like this. The staff is amazing as well, each and every one of the employees are so kind and friendly. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Even though she’s still fairly new to the Piney Ridge staff, she’s already been actively involved in the various aspects of the resident experience and has helped with new move-ins. “It’s so exciting when the resident finally moves in and is just as happy as you are that they’re here,” says Dakota. “Personally, I am pretty introverted, so introducing myself to new faces can be a little demanding, but just after a few months I’ve came out of my shell quite a bit and am learning so much already.”

Dakota joined the Rachuba and Piney Ridge teams with hopes to expand her property management skills and grow as an individual. “Since day one I’ve been excited to see what the future holds in terms of my potential as well as the company’s growth,” she shares. “It’s clear that Rachuba takes care of, not only its residents, but us employees too! So, I know great opportunities lie ahead!”

When she’s not tending to residents’ needs at Piney Ridge, you can find Dakota working out or spending time with her boyfriend—whether they’re going to TopGolf or watching River Monsters with Jeremy Wade. No matter the activity, you can always count on her to find joy in the small things. “At the end of the day life is too precious to live in constant worry,” says Dakota. “You can always find something to be happy about, always!”

Explore Exceptional Living at Piney Ridge

Visit https://www.pineyridgeapts.com/ to view the beautiful Eldersburg apartments and townhomes.

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At Prospect Hall Apartments, Mahoney is in charge of completing residents’ maintenance needs in their homes. He is also responsible for the complex’s overall appearance—such as snow removal in the winter and tending to the grounds—as well as ensuring all functions of the Prospect Hall property are in A+ condition. He also manages and prepares the empty apartment units before a new resident moves in.

“I joined Rachuba in 2008 and have stayed for so long because of the empowering and uplifting environment and the nice owners,” shares Mahoney. “As a maintenance technician, I’m always dealing with something different every day, but that’s my favorite part about my job.”

In addition to his maintenance skills, Mahoney has also been a carpenter for 38 years. “You always have to be willing to learn new things in order to increase your skillset,” shares Mahoney. “You’re always presented with new tasks in this position and it’s important to try to manage or solve them to the best of your abilities.”

Mahoney is known for always keeping a positive attitude and doing a great job for the Prospect Hall residents. “Rachuba takes good care of its employees. They give us the tools we need to make our jobs easier,” says Mahoney. “I try my best to help the residents and represent the company well. I like to see people happy.”

Family is everything to Mahoney. When he’s not working you can find him out and about—meeting new people at Bingo and other social events!

You can learn more about Rachuba and its uplifting and empowering culture at https://www.rachuba.com/core-values.html.

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Standing four stories tall and decorated with luxury brands, fan-favorite retailers, and delicious dining spots, the center is located in a very walkable part of town—making it an ideal destination for people to shop, eat, and enjoy each other’s company.

1959 – When It All Began

Did you know the Towson Town Center we all know (and love) was originally called Towson Plaza? The structure was built in 1959—on land from Goucher College—by DeChiaro Properties. The company’s founder, Ralph DeChiaro, was the father-in-law to the late Larry Rachuba and grandfather to the Rachuba children—Ray Rachuba, Kim Rachuba Williams, Theresa Rachuba Leatherbury, and the late Chris Rachuba—with Ray and Theresa co-owning and leading our company today.

DeChiaro Properties not only constructed the then 2-story building, but the company owned the historic shopping plaza too. After its grand opening in the spring of 1959, many flocked to Towson Plaza to experience one of the very first multi-level, open-air shopping malls in the area.

1960s – A Special Guest Visit and the Merging of Two Families

In 1960, a few short years after the initial opening, Towson Plaza was selected to be a stop on presidential candidate John F. Kennedy’s campaign route. This historical visit brought even more people from across the state to not only hear the soon-to-be president speak but also enjoy the perks of the shopping destination.

Members of the DeChiaro family, as well as Larry Rachuba, were present for Kennedy’s remarks, which made for a significant moment for DeChiaro Properties and both families. Shortly after, in 1961, Larry married into the DeChiaro family, and in 1964 he accepted Ralph’s offer to join DeChiaro Properties. After years of land development for thousands of homes, offices, apartment complexes, and additional shopping centers across the region, the DeChiaro-Rachuba Group was born.

1970s to 1980s – Building Up the Center

As Towson Plaza continued to blossom, important modifications were made to keep up with the changing times. The collection of stores, where people had to walk outside to get from most shops to the next, were soon updated to an enclosed and expanded building.

Larry Rachuba led the great expansion of Towson Plaza. His team worked in phases for its construction, adding new stories to the building’s original structure, which brought in new vendors and restaurants and encouraged department stores like Hutzler Brothers and Hecht’s to join the newly updated and renamed Towsontowne Centre. 

1990s – A Change In Ownership

In 1990, the DeChiaro-Rachuba Group partnered with the center’s co-owner, the Hahn Company, to transform the Towsontowne Centre into the Towson Town Center that we know today. The shopping destination was expanded by adding over 100 new stores and updating its interior and exterior appearance.

After the noteworthy transformation was complete, the family and Trizec-Hahn Corp. (formerly the Hahn Company) transferred ownership of Towson Town Center in 1998 to the Rouse Company. Even though they no longer own Towson Town Center, the DeChiaro and Rachuba families continue to take pride in knowing the property is still the cornerstone of downtown Towson.

A Look Into the Rachuba Archives

With history that spans three generations, there’s more to share about how our company got to where it is today. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn so you don’t miss our next look into the past!

Sources:

Photo: Elizabeth Malby https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-county/towson/ph-tt-retro-photos-towson-town-center-pg-20170713-photogallery.html

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Rachuba is most well-known for leading the great expansion of Towson Plaza in 1986—transforming the multi-level, open-air mall, that DeChiaro Properties constructed in 1959, into a completely enclosed and expanded shopping destination. The transition of the beloved Towson Plaza into the Towsontowne Centre brought in big names like the Hutzler Brothers, Hecht’s, and even Nordstrom—which at the time was the first in the area and is still one of the many departments stores at the center today!

In addition to the massive shopping development in the heart of Towson, Rachuba also built-up Towson’s business and hospitality communities with the introduction of offices in the Dulaney Center off of Fairmont Avenue and Dulaney Valley Road and Towson’s Sheraton Hotel. The office buildings were known as Dulaney I and Dulaney II and were constructed in 1984 and 1987, and the Sheraton welcomed guests from near and far to Towson when it was completed in 1987.

After several great successes, Rachuba’s projects didn’t stop with the shopping center, office buildings, or hotel. In 1988, he also oversaw the construction of the Towsongate Condominium Complex—which was mere minutes from Towson’s city center and its best attractions—drawing families and businessmen and women to move into the conveniently located units.

“My father saw great potential in Towson,” shares Theresa Rachuba Leatherbury, Rachuba President and CEO and daughter to Larry Rachuba. “He did more than envision a bright future for the community—he built it up to all that he knew it could be.”

With the completion of these projects, Larry Rachuba not only further developed Towson, but he was able to completely change the perception of the city, ignite better opportunities within the community, and bring more people to the place they called home for many years to come.

Sources:

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