The Victoria Residential Builders Association announced the Gold winners at the 2023 Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards of Vancouver Island held Friday, October 20th at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. (News release is here.) 

Fifty-one awards were presented at the 32nd annual event attended by 280 builders, designers, trades and suppliers – Canada’s leaders in west coast, home design and construction.

“Congratulations to the winners and finalists for again showing leadership in housing,” says Ellie Sercombe, Chair of the 2023 CARE Awards. “These projects demonstrate the gold standard for design, sustainability, and professionalism. A special thank-you to Astrid Chang, Destinations Greater Victoria for making the CARE Awards a wonderful evening.”

Project of the Year – Single Family went to GT Mann Contracting and Spaciz Design Company for Water’s Edge. Project of the Year – Multi-Family was awarded to Abstract Developments for Bellewood Park. The popular People’s Choice Award was won by Terry Johal Developments and KB Design for Legato.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Wilf Gorter, Gorter Construction for his leadership in the industry and community. Two companies received the Building Better Futures Community Award – Aryze Developments for developing much-needed missing-middle housing for young families and Denford Construction Management for their creative retirement communities serving a growing seniors population.

Excellence in Creating Housing Affordability was won by Chard Development for their innovative partnership with BC Housing creating more affordability in two multi-family projects – Haven and Vivid at the Yates. The Heritage Award for preserving architecture was presented to Goodison Construction and Jenny Martin Design for Laurel Park.

Green Builder of the Year promoting sustainable residential construction practices was won by Verity Construction. The Bill Wansbrough Memorial Award was presented to FortisBC for their partnership with the CRD creating RNG from waste/biogas at the Hartland Landfill addressing both climate change and housing affordability.

“The CARE Awards highlight Canada’s finest West Coast homes, the skilled people behind them, and their contributions to the industry and our community,” says Casey Edge, Executive Director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Photos of the winners and finalists will be posted at careawards.ca and a full-colour magazine distributed in the Times Colonist on Saturday, November 18th.

VRBA appreciates the support and generosity of the 2023 CARE Awards sponsors:

Gold: BC HousingBCCA Employee Benefits TrustBuilt Green CanadaFortisBCHourigan’s FlooringMcLaren Properties LtdSlegg Building MaterialsTravelers Insurance Company of Canada Victoria Real Estate Board

Silver: Coast Capital Savings; Trail Appliances

Bronze: Mike Geric Construction

Media: CFAX/CTVTimes Colonist

For more information, visit vrba.ca and careawards.ca.

2023 CARE Awards Gold Winners

Best Entry Level Market Home
GableCraft R.B. Homes – Westwick

Best Single Family Detached Spec Home under $900,000
Khataw Development – Shirley

Best Single Family Detached Spec Home $900,000 – $1,000,000
Everise Developments – Provence

Best Single Family Detached Custom Home under $1,000,000
White Wolf Homes – Merlin

Best Single Family Detached Home $1,000,000 – $1,250,000
Fayze Contracting – Beach House

Best Single Family Detached Home $1,250,000 – $1,500,000
Patriot Homes and Adapt Design – Chapel

Best Single Family Detached Home $1,500,000 – $2,000,000
Terry Johal Developments and KB Design – Legato

Best Single Family Detached Home over $2,000,000
GT Mann Contracting and Spaciz Design Company – Water’s Edge

Best New Subdivision (small)
White Wolf Homes – Bayview

Best New Subdivision (large)
GableCraft R.B. Homes – Phase 4B

Best New Multi-Family / Townhouse Project
Abstract Developments – Bellewood Park

Best Outdoor Space under $500,000
Terry Johal Developments – Oasis

Best Outdoor Space over $500,000
Villamar Construction – Nordic Chic

Best New Home Design under 4,000 sq. ft.
Frontera Homes – Grotto House

Best New Home Design over 4,000 sq. ft.
GT Mann Contracting and Spaciz Design Company – Water’s Edge

Best Home Design – Concept
Step One Design – Aloft
Step One Design – Windward (tie)

Best Innovative Feature
Frontera Homes – Grotto House

Best Residential Renovation or Restoration under $750,000
Frontera Homes – Grotto House

Best Residential Renovation or Restoration over $750,000
Goodison Construction and Jenny Martin Design – Laurel Park

Best Traditional Kitchen under $100,000
Bowcey Construction – Cathedral

Best Traditional Kitchen $100,000 – $150,000
Fayze Contracting – Beach House

Best Traditional Kitchen over $150,000
Jenny Martin Design, Coast Prestige Homes and Thomas Philips Woodworking – Gracie Oaks

Best Contemporary Kitchen under $100,000
Unity Developments and McGeachy Design Studio – Parkside

Best Contemporary Kitchen $100,000 – $150,000
Bowcey Construction – Willows

Best Contemporary Kitchen over $150,000
GT Mann Contracting, Spaciz Design Company and Thomas Philips Woodworking – Water’s Edge

Best Bathroom
Christopher Developments and Zebra Interiors – Coalescent

Best Primary Suite under $150,000
Bowcey Construction – Willows

Best Primary Suite over $150,000
GT Mann Contracting, Spaciz Design Company and Thomas Philips Woodworking – Water’s Edge

Best Interior – Homes under $1,000,000
Frontera Homes – Grotto House

Best Interior – Homes $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
Villamar Construction and Step One Design – Nordic Chic

Best Interior – Homes over $2,000,000
Jenny Martin Design and Coast Prestige Homes – Gracie Oaks

Best Custom Millwork under $150,000
Unity Developments and McGeachy Design Studio – Parkside

Best Custom Millwork over $150,000
GT Mann Contracting, Spaciz Design Company and Thomas Philips Woodworking – Water’s Edge

Best Commercial Project
Città Group – Heritage Style

Best Interior – Commercial
Villamar Construction – Modern Dental Oasis

Best Condominium Project or Mixed-Use Development
Abstract Developments – Bellewood Park

Best Customer Service
Verity Construction

Best Sales Centre or Show Home/Suite
GableCraft R.B. Homes – GableCraft Home Store

Best Website
White Wolf Homes – White Wolf Homes

Best Overall Marketing Campaign
Chard Development – Haven

Award for Environmental Achievement
Rannala Freeborn Construction – Hemp House

Green Builder of the Year
Verity Construction

Award for Excellence in Housing Affordability
Chard Development

Herman Rebneris Student Carpentry Award
Thea Campden, William Shaw, and Levi White (3 winners)

Best Heritage Award
Goodison Construction and Jenny Martin Design – Laurel Park

Bill Wansbrough Memorial Award
FortisBC

Building Better Futures Community Award
Aryze Developments
Denford Construction Managemen

People’s Choice Award
Terry Johal Developments and KB Design – Legato

Lifetime Achievement Award
Wilf Gorter – Gorter Construction

Project of the Year – Multi-Family
Abstract Developments – Bellewood Park

Project of the Year – Single Family
GT Mann Contracting and Spaciz Design Company – Water’s Edge