In 1912, David H. Richter, who had emigrated from Eastern Europe and was trained as a carpenter, founded a small woodworking shop bearing his name in Brooklyn, NY. The company established roots building storefronts and interiors in Brooklyn and Manhattan for millinery shops and other merchants. David’s philosophy of providing exceptional service to customers at all costs not only resulted in his establishing relationships with customers that spanned the century, but also led to personal relationships in which customers became his circle of friends. He built stores for Herman Hirshleifer of Hirshleifer’s and the Gorra family of Victoria Properties; their descendants are still part of the Richter+Ratner family. In the 1940's, the company also began building commercial and residential projects, adding celebrities including Frederic March, Alfred Drake and Joan Crawford to its roster of clientele.
In 1934, Charles Ratner joined his future father-in-law's company, after studying engineering at City College. He married David’s daughter, Ruth, in 1936 and in the next decade worked tirelessly to expand and enhance the company's reputation for quality woodworking while still paying attention to all the details of every job. David and Charlie formed Richter+Ratner in 1945 and Charlie became the company president.
Capitalizing on the economic growth of the post-war years, Richter+Ratner built hundreds of stores on main streets and in shopping centers across the country. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, R+R followed clients from state to state and city to city, executing extensive rollout projects for ubiquitous retailers including Thom McAn, Miles Shoes and National Shirt Shops. The expansion was orchestrated by Charlie's son Michael, a civil engineer who joined the company in 1967.
From the 1960's through the 1980's, nearly 70 percent of Richter+Ratner's contracting projects were located outside of New York City, in almost every state and Puerto Rico. During this period, the firm’s principals crisscrossed the country, developing a network of 20,000 subcontractors and dozens of project superintendents. The firm built hundreds of projects every year and was awarded many repeat assignments, forging relationships with high-end clientele, architects, interior designers, and business partners.
In the 1980's, R+R continued its coast-to-coast work while at the same time increasing its concentration on high-end construction. The firm, already known as an industry leader for the retail and corporate sectors, expanded its reach in the residential and institutional market with projects for high-profile clients including Norman Lear, George Soros, and Bruce Springsteen. At the end of the decade, Michael Ratner assumed leadership of Richter+Ratner as company President and Charles Ratner became Chairman. Michael pursued his vision of positioning the company as the premier player in the high-end construction market of the 1990's and beyond.
In 2005, R+R named Marc Heiman as President and Chief Operating Officer. Marc's senior management construction background spans a variety of sectors: educational institutions such as Lycee Francais de New York; religious institutions including Central Synagogue, New York City; and retail flagships including Toys R Us and Niketown. His experience includes restaurants, corporate interiors, and historic restorations. Michael Ratner continues to guide the company as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
In February 2007, the company headquarters relocated from Queens to 1370 Broadway, New York City.
