Minto Communities GTA wins six Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards
Toronto, ON (November 18, 2020) Minto Communities GTA, one of Ontario’s leading real estate development companies, was recognized with a series of wins at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) awards, including the coveted Prestige Award for Low-Rise Project of the Year for Markham master-planned community Union Village, created in collaboration with Metropia. Downtown Toronto property 123 Portland took home top honours in architectural design, winning High-Rise Building (11+ Storeys), and Union Village was also recognized for its design, winning the Production Built Home (Two Storeys up to 2500 SF) award.
Both projects received recognition for their exceptional branding and advertising, with Union Village winning Low-Rise Project Sales Brochure (1-3 storeys) in the image and advertising category, while 123 Portland took home High or Mid-Rise Ad Campaign (4+ Storeys) and High or Mid-Rise Project Logo Branding (4+ Storeys) in the same category. Rounding out the creative award wins, Minto Communities Ottawa was the recipient of the “Best Social Media Campaign” award for their “Home is Everything” campaign conceptualized with partner Alphabet Creative agency.
Union Village, a collaboration between Minto Communities and Metropia, offers the small town charm and character of Unionville, with incredible amenities and access to the Markham metropolis. Union Village was warmly received at the 2020 Ontario Homebuilders’ Association Awards, winning Low-Rise Project of the Year as well as awards in the image and advertising and design categories. The Aspen Corner Elevation F (pictured), won the Production Built Home (Two Storeys up to 2500 SF) award for its architectural design.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be recognized by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction for such marquee awards in both the low-rise and high-rise categories,” says Dave Robins, Division President, Minto Communities GTA. “Despite the challenging year we’ve all faced, we’ve received an incredible response to projects like Union Village and 123 Portland. Now, more than ever, we recognize that our home is everything, and we’re proud to offer community members superior quality developments in both urban and suburban markets.”
Master-planned community Union Village will be comprised of 1,200 homes once completed, offering a mix of single-family, back-to-back townhomes, rear-lane townhomes, and traditional townhomes. The community features two parcels of development split down the middle by the Bruce Creek. Drawing inspiration from the stunning natural landscapes of the area, the teams at Minto Communities GTA and Metropia prioritized sustainability, green and community gathering spaces, and striking architecture and design in a wide range of styles through the planning process. The response from purchasers has been remarkable, with both 2020 releases selling out immediately.
“Quality is at the forefront of our work at Minto Communities and that to us means building homes and communities where people have the tools they need for healthy and happy living,” says Mike LaPlante, Vice President of Land Development, Minto Communities GTA. “Union Village delivers these qualities in spades, with its beautiful design, location and proximity to great restaurants and schools, as well as its access to gorgeous parks and walking or cycling trails. We’re so proud to be recognized by the OHBA Awards of Distinction and even prouder to offer a project like this in a year when many people are rethinking what’s important to them in their living spaces.”
In contrast to Union Village, 123 Portland offers an urban living experience, though sustainability, excellent design and healthy living principles are woven into the project as a Minto Communities GTA standard. At 14-storeys and 116 units, 123 Portland offers a sophisticated, downtown energy that mirrors Parisian living with a unique Toronto reflection. Suites feature Juliet balconies and dramatic French doors, high-end finishes, and light-textured palettes creating a cohesive effect with the grand lobby and amenity spaces. Green design features include an updated VRF building system that reduces energy consumption, under-counter garbage sorters and water purifiers as a standard feature.
“It’s very gratifying to be awarded in the architecture and design category for 123 Portland,” says Jeff O’Reilly,Vice President, Urban Development and Acquisitions, Minto Communities GTA. “We wanted to do something special at this vibrant and lively location with an elegant, timeless offering for inspired urban living. We’re proud to say we’ve had a great response from the market with over 80 per cent sold, and to receive this recognition for our thoughtful design approach from the Ontario Home Builders’ Association feels very rewarding."
Elegant, and Parisian-inspired with a uniquely Toronto twist, 123 Portland won the High-Rise Building (11+ storeys) award in the architectural design category at the 2020 OHBA Awards of Distinction along with two image and marketing awards.
Minto Communities GTA has had an extremely successful awards season through 2020, including recognition from the 2020 Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Awards for Housing Excellence for Mid to High-Rise Condo or Apartment (Planned) for fellow downtown Toronto property The Saint, several Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) awards for Whitby development Ivy Ridge and the Corporate Citizenship and Green Builder of the Year awards, as well an EnerQuality Award for Building Innovation for the first high-rise air leakage testing pilot program in Ontario at Minto Yorkville Park.
In addition to their celebrated year, Minto Communities GTA has continued to prioritize giving back to the communities they build in, supporting numerous local organizations and groups by embarking on a robust COVID-19 support campaign. Highlights include supporting organizations focused on fighting food insecurity, the performing arts community, seniors, front-line workers, under-served youth, and grassroots journalism outlets.
The 2020 OHBA Awards of Distinction were presented in a virtual format on Tuesday, November 10. Since 1991, the OHBA Awards of Distinction (AoD) recognizes the creativity, innovation and talent of land developers, builders, renovators, designers and marketers within the industry.
About
Minto Communities is a family-owned, fully integrated real estate development, construction and management company with operations in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and South Florida, and has been instrumental in the design and construction of more than 100,000 residential and commercial properties.
An industry leader, Minto Communities is known for high-quality and sustainable developments. A testament to its outstanding leadership, Minto Communities was recognized by the Ontario Home Builders Association as Home Builder of the Year in both 2014 and 2012, and Ottawa’s Builder of the year in 2019 by GOHBA.