GTHBA News Release

Toronto - Cachet Estate Homes was named home builder of the year tonight by the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association.

More than 900 home builders, developers, renovators and associate members attended the 25th Anniversary home builder awards to recognize outstanding achievement in community planning and development, building design, renovation and sales and marketing.

The prestigious home builder of the year award goes to the builder who sets the standard for the rest of the industry in terms of quality, service and customer commitment. An independent survey of all home builder of the year finalists is a key component of the judging process.

The commitment family owned and operated Cachet Estate Homes makes to customer service was evident in homeowners' responses to a ten question, 100 point survey covering everything from the sales process through to after-sales service.

"The quality and attention to detail that this company stands for are unparalleled," said one Cachet purchaser. "Cachet Estate homes is a professional organization and they seem to care about their customers," remarked another. "Cachet builds what it promises and we get many compliments on the unique floorplan and truly substantial standard finishes," commented a third home buyer.

Cachet Estate Homes is one of the top 20 single family home builders in the Greater Toronto Area and is currently building in Halton Hills, Mississauga, Brampton and Whitby.

In other categories Waterclub Condominiums by Kolter Property Corporation garnered the award for community of the year with advertising agency LA Inc. and Kirkor Architects and Planners. Waterclub, located on Toronto's waterfront, encompasses more than 1,000 units in three towers, a two-tiered cascading waterfall and lit colonade-style walkways leading to retail stores.

The retrofit of the Irwin toy factory in Liberty Village by Lanterra Developments with Montana Steele Advertising, II by IV Design Associates and Quadrangle Architects earned a whopping seven awards for Toy Factory Lofts for project of the year (condominium), best direct mail -condominium, best newspaper ad - condominium, best website condominium, best marketing campaign, best condominium sales office - over 1,800 sq. feet and best model suite and an additional award with H&R Developments for Murano Condominiums for best project signage - condominium.

The project of the year (low-rise) was bestowed upon Tribute Communities' Windfields Farm project in Oshawa with advertising agency Guidelines Advertising and architects Cassidy & Company, MBTW - Landscape Architecture and Watchorn Architect Inc. - Design Control. Created by horseracing icon E.P. Taylor in 1950, Windfields Farm, best know as the birthplace of Canada's equine star Northern Dancer, is an innovative site plan with enclaves, cul-de-sacs, roundabouts, a network of parks, seven schools and a university within its 400 acres.

Jim Andrews was the recipient of the Riley Brethour award for outstanding and consistent professional achievement in residential sales and marketing over 18 years in the home building industry with the Kaneff Group of Companies, condominium builder Canderel-Stoneridge and most recently Fieldgate Homes.

Renovation awards

The GTHBA in conjunction with Renovation and Décor magazine also named Toronto's best renovators as part of the evening's awards.

Premier Kitchen and Bath was named renovator of the year. The coveted award goes to the company whose leadership helps raise the standard for all renovators and whose efforts improve the public image of renovators in the Greater Toronto Area. The award reflects how well the renovator performed as a professional, meeting the needs and expectations of customers while contributing to the industry.

In other renovation categories D.O. Construction was awarded best renovation under $75,000, Home Editions Design/Build Ltd garnered two awards for best renovation $75,000 - $150,000 and best renovation $150,000 - $300,000, Woodcastle Construction Ltd won best renovation over $300,000 and Whitehall Homes & Construction Ltd garnered the award for best custom home.

With more than 1,300 members, the GTHBA is the voice of the residential construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area. Established in 1921, the association is comprised of land developers, home builders, professional renovation contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service, professional and financial firms. We are proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations.