At our core, Ruppert Properties is a family and employee-owned commercial real estate company that invests in, develops, and manages office and industrial spaces throughout the region. We do things more uniquely because we handle everything in-house–from construction and leasing oversight to day-to-day property management. This “hands-on” approach allows us to stay close to our tenants, whether they are local startups or large manufacturers. We truly believe our properties are more than just buildings, they’re the environments where local businesses grow, and we lead with a “people first” philosophy to make sure they have what they need to succeed.
A conversation with Julie Ruppert, President.
Tell us your business origin story!
Our roots go back to 1977 with my father, Craig Ruppert. His humble background taught him early on that the secret to long-term value is simply taking great care of people. While the Ruppert name has been around for a long time, Ruppert Properties was formed 25 years ago to focus specifically on real estate. I am so proud to step in as President during our 25th anniversary year. It’s a special feeling to take the reins of a family business; my goal is to honor the foundation of hard work while finding fresh, innovative ways to grow and connect with our community.
What do you like most about being a business owner in Frederick?
There is a special energy in Frederick that you just don’t find elsewhere. Even as the commercial landscape grows, it still feels like a tight-knit community where everyone knows your name. Since we’re headquartered right here, we get to be more than just landlords, we’re neighbors. I love that business here is personal; people genuinely root for each other’s success. Being local means we can manage our properties to our own high standards while staying active in the economic health of our own backyard.
Why did you join the Chamber?
Taking over as President earlier this year was the perfect reason to re-engage with the Frederick business community. The Chamber is such a great “home base” for meeting other local leaders and staying in the loop on what the county really needs. We want to be a helpful resource and a collaborative partner for our neighbors. On a personal level, I’m a big believer in face-to-face connections. It’s the best way to grow as a leader and to help our younger team members build their own networks here in town.
How has being a member of the Chamber benefited your business?
The Chamber has been a fantastic tool for keeping our finger on the pulse of Frederick. For a business like ours that holds onto properties for the long haul, relationships are everything. It’s given us a direct line to other professionals who care about the region’s prosperity as much as we do. Those conversations often spark new ideas and help us identify the best ways to serve the community as we look to expand our portfolio.
What do you want Ruppert Properties to be known for?
I want us to be known as a steady, reliable partner. Unlike many real estate firms that “flip” buildings every few years, we keep our properties and manage them ourselves. That creates a lot of trust and consistency for our tenants—many of whom are fellow family-owned businesses. At the end of the day, I want Ruppert Properties to be recognized for the strength of our relationships, not just our square footage. We measure our success by the positive impact we leave on our properties and the people inside them.
Share some of your community involvement efforts!
Giving back is a value that was instilled in all of us from day one. We’ve always been proud to support a number of organizations, including the Mental Health Association, Blessings in a Backpack, and Boys and Girls Club, but we’re taking it a step further this year. We’re rolling out a new program that gives our employees company funding to support the local nonprofits they are personally passionate about. Frederick is our home, and we’re excited to be an even more visible partner in its future. To us, true success is shared success.
Do you have any exciting promotions or interesting events coming up?
One recent development we’re especially excited about is a new lease at Firehouse, the historic downtown Frederick building that also serves as our corporate headquarters. We recently welcomed Enclave, a coworking operator, to approximately 5,000 square feet on the upper floors of the building. What makes this so exciting for us is that it feels like a true amenity for downtown Frederick. Enclave creates flexible space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and growing companies, which fits perfectly with our goal of supporting businesses at every stage of their growth. Helping a historic building adapt to meet modern workspace needs is exactly the kind of thoughtful, long-term project we strive for. It’s energizing to watch new ideas and connections take shape right above our own offices, and we think it’s a great addition to the Frederick business community.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.