A Niagara-region company has been named the 2007 home builder of the year by the Ontario Home Builders Association, while condo builder Tridel Corp. took home two of the group's awards in the high-rise category.
Mountainview Homes of St. Catharines was awarded the association's highest honour based on surveys from home buyers and judges' evaluation of its sales and marketing programs, floor designs and community service.
Since 1979, Mountainview Homes has built hundreds of residences throughout the Niagara region - from entry-level, starter homes to luxury, custom homes - and has won numerous design and customer-service awards.
The OHBA gives out its "awards of distinction" in 29 categories each year to recognize innovation and excellence in the areas of design, and sales and marketing. More than 500 entries were submitted this year.
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Among the judges were Peter Love, Ontario's chief energy conservation officer, and representatives from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., Tarion Warranty Corp., the Consumers' Association of Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The OHBA launched a new category this year to recognize environmental initiatives. The "green" builder of the year award went to Reid's Heritage Homes of Cambridge.
Tridel's two awards - most outstanding high-rise building and high-rise project of the year - both came for its Republic of Yonge and Eglinton building in Toronto. All suites in the project were certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Used in their construction were materials such as low-volatile organic compound paints and carpeting to minimize off-gassing, environmentally friendly hardwood flooring, energy-efficient windows, Energy Star appliances, water-conservation fixtures, and high-performance ventilation systems.
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