The 2023 HAVAN Awards of Excellence

It was a star-studded evening on April 22 at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver, where approximtely 650 developers, renovators, designers, and other residential construction industry insiders and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the winners of the 14th annual Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) Housing Awards of Excellence.

Tuxedos and gowns were clearly the preferred attire, and many attendees took advantage of the 360 video booth to create a playful memory of a post-pandemic evening that celebrated an opportunity to get dressed to the nines. In one of HAVAN’s traditional subtle yet poignant acknowledgements of the need to care for our fragile planet, each guest found a plant cube containing a succulent or fern at their dinner seat—it was, after all, Earth Day.

As for the winners

Competition was intense this year, with 101 companies vying to be honoured as best of the best in 54 categories. From laneway homes to luxury custom residences, from infill to soaring highrises, the sheer diversity of winning entries proved that British Columbia continues to be a leader in innovation, environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and forward-thinking design.

No stranger to these awards, Surrey-based Miracon Development Inc. converted their eight finalist nominations into four golds, including two Grand Awards for Best Multi-Family Residential Community and Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year. Its Foundry community in Langley wowed judges with the elegant black and white townhomes featuring family-friendly floorplans, entertainment-oriented kitchens, and inviting community amenities. Ryan O’Shea, president of Miracon, credits the company’s teamwork and commitment to providing a memorable buyer experience as significant contributors to this recognition.

A relative newcomer to the Metro Vancouver market who continues to make a big splash is Landmark Premiere Properties. It snagged top honours in two categories—Best Multi-Family Condominium Unit and Best Production Development Seven Storeys and Over. Located in White Rock, Foster Martin unabashedly embraces luxury living and a rare location overlooking Semiahmoo Bay.

In the Special Achievement categories, one company stood out by garnering three of the nine awards. Best Builders’ Triadic took home gold for Best Environmental Initiative, the BC Housing Award for Excellence in Housing Solutions, and the Fortis Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in New Residential Construction.

One to watch is North Vancouver-based Smithwood Builders, whose Modern Flair property got the nod as Best New Small-Scale Home.

Future vision

In his opening remarks, Ravi Kahion, B.C.’s minister of housing, stressed the need to have “all hands on deck” working collaboratively to leverage the expertise and innovative ability that defines the province’s housing industry. “I’m confident that by working together, we will build the housing we need to ensure future generations will have more options for housing they can afford.”

Noted Ron Rapp, HAVAN’s CEO: “Housing has taken on a much more prominent stature in our world today as the need to respond to the growing housing crisis has now captured the attention of all levels of government. The residential housing industry is at a crossroads that will see dramatic changes in the process of delivering homes and how we respond to the challenges of climate, cost effectiveness, and high performance. We expect these awards will continue to be a forum to feature the innovative and creative activity of B.C.’s housing industry.”

For more information about the 14th annual HAVAN Housing Awards of Excellence and to view all the finalists and winning projects, visit havan.ca. Here, you’ll find a list trusted local professionals for your new home or renovation project.