GTA’s top builders and projects honoured

The GTA’s home building and land development industry recognized its top builders, projects and marketing initiatives at the 37th annual BILD (Building Industry and Land Development) Awards on April 28.

More than 1,200 industry professionals were there to honour achievements in planning, design, sales, marketing and city building across 51 categories. A team of 17 judges from across North America determined the winners from more than 900 submitted entries.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of BILD’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Al Libfeld, principal and co-founder of Tribute Communities. This recognition is the Association’s highest honour and was presented to Libfeld for his contribution to the industry over the past four decades.

Taking home the night’s most prestigious awards for Home Builders of the Year, were Tridel for Mid/Highrise and Mattamy Homes for Lowrise.

The coveted People’s Choice Award, determined by members of the public through online voting, was awarded to Tridel for its Aquabella development. Aquabella is a resort destination in the city that will come to life on Toronto’s waterfront. The building is uniquely designed to follow the contours of the lake, boasting vast panoramas from its grand terraces.

“People’s Choice is a unique award because it is the public who decide the winner,” says BILD President and CEO Bryan Tuckey. “The projects that competed for this year’s title showcased the best in city building and demonstrated how the industry is providing a wide range of housing options for GTA homebuyers.”

For community building, BILD has two categories for outstanding projects that embody the Province’s smart growth principles: Best New Community (Planned/Under Development) for a project currently planned or under construction; and Best New Community (Built) which recognizes a completed project.

Rockport Group won Best New Community (Planned/Under Development) for Weston Common. The development will create a vibrant community hub in Toronto’s Weston neighbourhood, an area that has not seen significant development in 40 years.

For its work in Downtown Markham, the Remington Group won the award for Best New Community (Built). Emphasizing sustainability and neighbourhood integration, Remington’s Downtown Markham includes features such as green roofs, pedestrian-only promenades and an innovative storm water management system.

Laurier Homes’ Kingswood, a 705-sq.-ft. corner suite featuring a clever layout that optimizes the use of internal space, won Best Innovative Suite Design. This award recognizes excellence in the design of a condo suite that increases options for first-time homebuyers.

The Briarwood by Arista Homes took home the award for Best Innovative Home Design, which recognizes cutting-edge design in lowrise that increase options for entry-level consumers. The design features a blend of commercial and living space, giving buyers the option to live and work from home.

The Rockport Group won the award for Best Midrise Building design for George Condos + Town, which combines aesthetic appeal, creativity, neighbourhood integration and optimal use of land.

For outstanding leadership in Green building, Tridel was named Green Builder of Year, Mid/Highrise and Minto Communities was named Green Builder of the Year, Lowrise.

Project of the Year, Tridel’s Aquabella development on Toronto’s waterfront was selected as the Mid/Highrise Project of the Year while Lowrise title went to Geranium and Pemberton Group for the Friday Harbour development on Lake Simcoe.

The award for Best Overall Marketing Campaign went to the team of CentreCourt Developments, LA Inc. and Brandon Communications for their campaign for Axis.

“Congratulations to all the winners on their tremendous achievements,” Tuckey says. “I’m proud to see so many quality projects coming to the market despite the increasing challenges builders and developers are facing.”