NORTH Shore builders have a strong presence among the nominees for the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association's Ovation Awards.
To be presented for the third time April 28, the annual Ovations recognize excellence in both new construction and renovations with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, affordability, energy efficiency and heritage restoration.
North Vancouver's CCI Renovations is one of three firms vying for the Best Renovation ($300,000 to $499,999) with its Tempest project.
Also based in North Vancouver, Econ Group Construction and Development has the Best Custom Home ($750,000 to $999,999) all wrapped up as its Cowichan Bay Modern project is the category's sole nominee.
British Pacific Properties in West Vancouver was tapped for nominations in four different categories: Best Single-family Detached Home (3,000 square feet or more), Single-family Builder of the Year, Multi-family Builder of the Year and lastly Best Townhome or Rowhome Development (2,000 square feet or more), in which its Aerie is the only nominee.
"We're quite thrilled," said Jim McLean, president of British Pacific. "This is quite a big deal for all the people that work in our construction division. You're ranked against your peers, so when you're a carpenter working on one of our homes, you know you're working for one of the top three companies in the Lower Mainland and that's pretty exciting. We've been around since 1931; however, many of our employees and contractors have been with us a few years. So every time you win an award it rejuvenates the company."
McLean said the nominated projects sold out quickly, and pre-sales of upcoming developments have also been brisk.
"Interestingly enough," he said, "the greater part of the people who buy these multi-family products live in the neighbourhood. These are people downsizing from a big home, but they want to stay in the neighbourhood where their family and friends live. So we built these smaller projects within these neighbourhoods.
"Pretty much when we bring them on, they sell out almost immediately because there is a demand for a nice house with a great view in the British Properties."
