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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.1


PRESS RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

        AT SUN COMMUNITIES:
        Gary A. Shiffman, Chief Executive Officer
        (810) 932-3100
        Jeffrey P. Jorissen, Chief Financial Officer
        (810) 932-3100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1996

            SUN COMMUNITIES CONFIRMS PROPOSAL FOR STRATEGIC MERGER
                           WITH CHATEAU PROPERTIES

Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) confirmed today that it has made a written
proposal to the board of directors of Chateau Properties, Inc. (NYSE:CPJ) to
merge Chateau and CP Limited Partnership into Sun and Sun Communities Operating
Limited Partnership in a tax-free transaction in which Chateau holders would
receive 0.892 shares of Sun's common stock and/or operating partnership units
for each of Chateau's shares and/or operating partnership units.  Based upon
Sun's August 20, 1996 closing price of $28.00 per share, Sun's offer is valued
at $25.00 per share of Chateau.  Sun also indicated that it would be willing to
evaluate alternative forms of consideration to the extent necessary to satisfy
the objectives of both Sun's and Chateau's holders.

In a letter dated August 20, 1996 to Chateau's board of directors, Sun detailed
the enhanced strategic and financial benefits to Chateau's holders in a merger
with Sun as compared to a proposal made by Manufactured Home Communities, Inc.
on August 19, 1996 or Chateau's proposed merger with ROC Communities, Inc.

Gary A. Shiffman, Sun's Chief Executive Officer, commented on Sun's proposal,
stating "The overlap between Chateau's and Sun's portfolios and corporate
cultures is the strongest in the manufactured housing REIT sector.  A combined
Chateau and Sun would succeed Sun as the largest community owner in the U.S.
and would become the undisputed, dominant player in the industry."  Sun and
Chateau had previously discussed a strategic merger in late 1995.

Relative to the MHC and ROC proposals, the benefits of a merger with Sun
include the larger size and greater operating efficiencies of a Sun-Chateau
combination, immediate and long-term accretion to both companies' funds from
operations per share, increased financial flexibility and improved liquidity,
as well as improved growth opportunities based on Sun's superior track record
in completing acquisitions and community expansions.  According to the Sun
letter, Chateau management's experience in new community development
complements Sun's proven experience in the acquisition and expansion arena.


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Sun, which is the largest owner of manufactured housing communities in the
United States, would have an equity market capitalization of approximately $850
million and a total market capitalization of approximately $1.2 billion when
combined with Chateau.  With 126 properties containing over 48,000 manufactured
housing sites, Sun and Chateau would together own more sites than either ROC
and Chateau or MHC and Chateau.

In its letter, Sun asserted that its portfolio and Chateau's are the most
compatible among the manufactured housing community REITs in terms of
geographic concentration and asset quality.  For example, the geographic
overlap between the Sun and Chateau portfolios is significantly greater than
that with ROC or MHC, creating larger economies of scale and a smoother
transition process to common management.  Approximately 65% and 80% of Sun's
and Chateau's properties, respectively, are located in their two primary
markets, Michigan and Florida.  Moreover, both companies are headquartered in
Michigan, leading to additional overhead efficiencies.

Sun pointed out in its letter that it has consistently achieved the highest
operating margins in the peer group of companies as measured by earnings before
depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes as a percentage of revenues. 
While Chateau's operating margins rank second to Sun's, ROC and MHC operate at
the two lowest margins in the peer group.  "Because of our geographic overlap
with Chateau and strong operating margins," commented Mr. Shiffman, "we believe
we can create tangible operating efficiencies while enhancing our dominant
position in our key markets."

Unlike both ROC and MHC, Sun has achieved investment-grade senior unsecured
credit ratings from the major rating agencies.  Like Chateau, which also
possesses investment-grade credit ratings, the vast majority of Sun's assets
remain unencumbered by secured debt, maximizing financial flexibility as
compared to the MHC or ROC proposals.

Mr. Shiffman summarized Sun's proposal by stating "We believe this proposal is
of substantial immediate and longer term benefit to both of our respective
shareholder groups.  We are prepared to move rapidly toward a definitive merger
agreement and feel confident that the transaction can be consummated by year
end."

Sun has retained Lehman Brothers as its financial advisor and Jaffe, Raitt,
Heuer & Weiss and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as its legal advisors. 
Sun's proposal is subject to customary conditions, including the termination of 
Chateau's existing merger agreement with ROC, rejection of the MHC proposal and
the execution of a definitive merger agreement.  Sun's offer will be made only
via an effective prospectus and joint proxy statement which will be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission following the execution of a definitive
merger agreement.




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