Dozens of area homebuilders recognized for their work
Edmonton homebuilders recognized at CHBA–ER Awards of Excellence in Housing
The red carpet, if there was one, would likely have been green.
With a nod to Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, and a bit of Irish luck — it was St. Patrick’s Day after all — last weekend’s Canadian Home Builders’ Association– Edmonton Region (CHBA–ER) Awards of Excellence in Housing gala saw Edmonton’s housing industry share the wealth, with more than 30 different builders and industry suppliers taking home at least one award.
As the organization rolled out its version of the Academy Awards at the Shaw Conference Centre, CHBA–ER president Greg Nakatsui said the night was all about taking a step back to recognize what was accomplished in the past year.
“It’s about celebrating the industry,” said Nakatsui, who noted that the economic gloom of years past is fading. “The industry seems to be a little better these days. There’s a lot of optimism out there, more than there has been for a number of years.”
While rising interest rates, tighter mortgage rules and more government regulation — at all levels — remain concerns, Nakatsui added that governments also recognize the industry’s importance and that home ownership is essential in building communities.
“In the end,” said Nakatsui, “we’re all trying to help people realize the dream of home ownership.”
That dream saw more than 800 entries for the 2018 edition of the Awards of Excellence in more than 60 categories. Walking away with this year’s top awards were four different Edmonton builders: Alair Homes Edmonton was named Renovator of the Year; Carrington Communities was chosen as Builder of the Year — Multi-Family; Jayman BUILT was Builder of the Year — Large Volume, and Kimberley Homes won Builder of the Year – Small Volume.
But in an Oscar-like gaffe, Vicky ’s Homes was announced as the winner at the ceremony instead of Kimberley. A tabulation error was found days after the awards, resulting in the Kimberley victory.
Vicky’s Homes had taken the small volume builder of the year award last year, and owner Vicky Kujundzic was almost at a loss for words after the results were announced Saturday night.
“It’s such an amazing feeling because we’re in an industry with so many talented builders that really I’m almost speechless,” said Kujundzic.
Vicky ’s, which is expanding into infills and has been busy working in Fort McMurray with the rebuilds, came on strong late in the evening, snagging three straight single family home awards — Best Single Family $700,000 to $800,000, $850,000 to $1 million, and best over $1 million — before almost landing the top small builder award.
For Jayman, which took the large volume builder of the year award as well as three others, including Best Single Family under $260,000, it marked the 15th time the CHBA has recognized Jayman as a builder of the year across both Edmonton’s and Calgary ’s awards programs.
“At Jayman, we strive for excellence in all aspects of our business,” said Jay Westman, CEO of Jayman BUILT.
“Being recognized for the seventh time in the Edmonton region demonstrates our longevity in the industry and our commitment to homeowner satisfaction. To be recognized in several categories is an incredible achievement for the Jayman BUILT team. Jayman strives to maintain its position as an industry leader, setting a high standard in the residential construction sector.”
Carrington Communities, another multiple award winner with a total of seven on the night, including two for its upscale Allure condominium project in southwest Edmonton — Best Brochure Package and Best Multi-Family Apartment Building — said winning the top multi-family award was a pleasant surprise.
“We’re very excited to have been nominated for 26 different awards tonight and to have won builder of the year (multi-family) is very exciting,” said Nanette Charest, Carrington’s general manager. “Honestly, we were quite surprised. Although we had a lot of nominations you never go in expecting to win.”
Kujundzic also had praise for the other award participants.
“Congratulations to the other fellow builders who are finalists and winners,” she said.
“It’s stiff competition, so congratulations to everyone.”
The night’s other major award winner, Alair, took a total of six awards, including the coveted Renovator of the Year prize.
“We are very excited to be honoured with these awards and feel privileged to be acknowledged for our work,” said Jamie Affleck, regional managing partner, Alair Homes Edmonton, who was actually presenting at the Alair Homes Annual General Meeting in Orlando, Florida that night and was sad to miss the gala.
“We are fortunate to work in a city where there is real value for great design and in developing our mature communities. Alair Homes is excited to be part of significant change in the home construction industry, where we are seeing homeowners put more trust in small contractors, resulting in more unique and artisan-inspired homes.”
Alair also won for Best Exterior Renovation; Best Renovation $200,000 to $500,000; Best Renovation Over $500,000; Best Single Family Home $400,000 to $450,000, and Best Single Family Home $500,000 to $550,000.
While green apple martinis started the evening off for the 1,600 attendees as they entered the formal event, there were also sightings of some visitors wearing rabbit ears, green hats, and other whimsical garb to go with Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter theme as home builders raised a glass to the year that was.
In other awards, Avillia Developments Ltd. won Best New Community for Salisbury Village, located in Sherwood Park; Langdale in Windermere took the Best Show Home Parade for Qualico Communities, and Lake Summerside won Best Community for Brookfield Residential, which took home an additional six awards to place it in a tie with Carrington — at seven — for the most awards won on the night.