Calgary condo builders, potential buyers and residents alike now know how well members of the industry measured up in the 2007 Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary Region’s (CHBA- CR) annual Sales and Marketing Awards. And this year’s contest—as with most in the 21-year history of the event—carved out surprises and marked great achievements in building, sales and marketing as projects, companies and industry members were given their due for another year of hard work. Each and every year sees the industry working hard to outdo itself over the year before, which often means an even better product selection of condo projects and new homes for those looking to buy.

This year, one company blew the roof off the competition and continued a momentum that started with builder of the year in the Edmonton Region SAMs in March, then continued with a national Grand SAM—the highest honour possible for a builder—from the CHBA’s gala just days following. The third time was indeed the charm as Homes by Avi’s Calgary division notched up a whopping five silver statues, including Grand SAM for multi-family builder of the year.

The 30-year-old company didn’t stop there, taking four more awards and several finalist spots. The company was awarded best website, as well as best innovative idea/product for its Avi Concept and Mix & Match website. Additionally, Homes by Avi took home best villa/duplex, up to $399,999, for the Richmond model of its Panorama duplexes, and best townhomes, $350,000 and over for the builder’s Wentworth Point project.
Avi himself, president and founder of Homes by Avi, was walking on air with the third builder of the year win in the span of just over a month.“This is a great achievement by our Calgary multi-family division,” says Amir. “Coming on the heels of the Edmonton and Canadian builder of the year wins, we can truly be very proud and celebrate our 30th anniversary in style.”

Charron Ungar, vice-president of product development for Homes by Avi, says the win for Avi Urban is even more of a coup since it’s a departure from the company’s origins. “We chose to develop a product that took our knowledge in single-family and transposed it into an urban-minded, suburban oriented, higher-density product. It took us a considerable amount of time to get it right. Now I feel we have a wealth of knowledge behind us capable of making Avi Urban an innovative force in the multi-family industry.”

Anita Bustos, marketing manager for Homes by Avi, says the wins marked the perfect end to a great run this awards season. “Winning Calgary’s Multi-Family Builder of the Year is icing on the cake,” says Bustos. “It really was a surprise, but at the same time we’ve put a lot of work into our multi-family division and we’re very, very proud.”

Certainly no newcomer to the local condo and townhome market, Streetside Development Corporation took home a top prize for multi-family community of the year—plus best new design, up to 799 square-feet in the multi-family design category—both for Redhaus in Royal Oak. Kendra Milne, Streetside marketing manager, says she’s as proud of the project, itself as the award, crediting the victory to a team effort. “Our entire company as well as our partners can be very proud of the work that has gone into creating Red Haus—from our design and development to sales and marketing to our construction and service teams they all share this award,” says Milne. “The specific award criteria really looks at every aspect of what a multi-family builder does in creating a project, and we’re all proud of the way Red Haus has developed as a community unto itself.” Red Haus features a central interior park with connecting courtyards and a gazebo, as well as a pathway system linking each building and the central multi-use Club Haus. “For our customers, this award shows the value in the purchase and commitment from the builder that can be expected from Streetside,” says Milne.

As they say, three out of the four ain’t bad. No doubt UBG Alpine Homes supports this theory with its SAM successes in three multi-family design award contests—every category it was a finalist in, in fact. Canmore’s Timberline Lodges in Three Sisters Mountain Village took the goose in best new design, 800 to 1,199 square-feet, 1,200 to 1,499 square-feet and 1,500 square-feet and over. These apartment-style condos offer flats and penthouses up to 3,000 square-feet, boasting rich mountain-style architecture designed around spectacular views. Chris Wein, vice-president of sales, marketing and development, UBG – Alpine Homes says Timberline Lodges definitely reflect the luxury for which the company is known.

“We’re a design-conscious builder so we are very proud of this accomplishment.” UBG – Alpine Homes also stacked up a nod provincially for 2007 as the Alberta builder of the year, which encompasses both multi and single-family builders, marking the first time a multi-family builder won the prestigious award.

With two great years behind them, Wein says the company looks forward to next year’s contest, with two new projects in the works.“We’re hoping to have good responses in the Design Awards, and this year we didn’t enter any of the marketing categories so next year we plan on entering in these and even more categories.”

Rockford Developments proved its solid reputation is well-deserved, with a development win, with its Reflections project outshining the competition to take the title of best apartment-style condo (wood frame). This 206-unit four-building complex was their first entry into the apartment category, so the win is even more satisfying. Rockford also summitted other great designs in the best new townhome design, up to $349,999, for Panorama Heights’ Rundle model. Lana Campbell, marketing director with Rockford Developments credits the success to the Rundle design’s track record with buyers and well-planned features. “This is a three-bedroom townhome with an attached single garage, and in that category it has always been a top-seller and great value for the money,” says Campbell.