A Charter for Innovation
BUILDING THE BEST SINCE 1986
Over the decades, Chartered Companies has continually innovated to meet — and exceed — market needs, sustaining success through market conditions and economic cycles.
Our multi-generational family business was officially founded by Ward Ritter in 1986, but the roots of our company extend back into the 1950s. From day one, our business has been built on a foundation of integrity, consistency, quality, and an unwavering commitment to our projects, partners, investors, and customers. We do it all — and we do it right.
“We build for the long term and this informs everything we do, helping ensure Chartered is poised to continue building communities that will deliver enduring value for all stakeholders well into the future.”
- Ward Ritter, President
1950s
ROOTS PLANTED
Ward’s father Stanley H. Ritter is a commercial real estate mortgage broker in Southern California during the post-WWII housing boom.
After serving in the Navy in World War II, Stanley studies finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business while being commissioned as a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve during the Korean War, moving to California thereafter. Stanley starts his career in securities. A chance introduction leads him to pivot into real estate finance.
1950s-1970s
GROWTH & INNOVATION
Stanley finances tracts of single-family homes, shopping centers, and becomes an innovator in hospital financing.
As part of Stanley’s burgeoning career in real estate, he leads the entitlement process for a number of large-scale single-family developments and hospitals in Southern California, enlivening Chartered’s spirit for pragmatic innovation.
Late 1970s
NEXT GENERATION JOINS
Stanley’s son Ward, while attending UCLA, creates the opportunity to work alongside his father to learn the business.
Desiring to find his place in the world, Ward wants to create great neighborhoods. Working with his father, Ward helps to grow the business through several successful developments in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in Southern California. From an 18-home development at the start to 254- and 397-unit apartment communities shortly down the road, each one larger and more complex. Ward’s conceptions represent an evolution for multifamily developments in Ventura County, marking a departure in size and scope from previous projects in the area. Ward’s business acumen and relationships grow and strengthen, setting the stage for his next venture.
1980s
FORMATIVE YEARS
On the heels of his formative experiences working with his father, Ward establishes Chartered Pension Real Estate Investors in 1986 to finance and invest in real estate developments. In Chartered, lenders and capital partners see innovative products, land positions, and financing structures — and the ability to get things done.
In 1986, he expands development into Southern Nevada, including Clark County, Las Vegas, and Henderson, marking the beginning of a 20-year run that yields 4,500+ single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments across several communities, in addition to a number of commercial developments. Realizing the value of improved coordination and control among parts of the development, construction, and operating life cycle, Chartered chooses full vertical integration as its business model to unlock value and opportunity for its stakeholders
2000s
NEW MARKETS
In 2004, the opportunity arises to bring Chartered’s innovative development approach to Colorado’s Front Range. Chartered opens its office in Boulder, Colorado.
Ward’s deep local and regional lender relationships are balanced by strong national relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and institutional lenders as he shifts focus to growing opportunities along Colorado’s Front Range. The transition coincides, however, with the 2008 Global Financial Crisis — which the business successfully weathers by bringing its innovative smaller-lot, single-family home product to Colorado. The product finds its footing coming out of the Great Recession, with the company able to lead a growing number of successful developments.
2010-20s
INTEGRATED & FOCUSED
Chartered maintains a strong portfolio and pipeline reflecting continued refinement of a well-proven business model.
Chartered’s flexible approach focuses on multifamily and single-family attached/detached for-sale and built-to-rent communities in well-located, attractive submarkets. The business handles every aspect of the development from start to finish, unlocking value for all stakeholders — lenders, investors, partners, subs/vendors, residents, employees, and our wider communities along the Front Range.
Interested in joining our story?
We are always looking for investors, partners, subcontractors, and employees who share our passion for creating great neighborhoods and lasting communities. Come build with us.