Nine Ottawa projects are among the 2025 CHBA awards finalists just announced by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
That’s down from last year’s 21 nominations but on par with 2023.
The CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, which recognize new homes, renovations, community development and marketing strategies, had a record 1,000-plus entries this year, the association said in a statement.
“This national awards program continues to grow even more competitive, and it is an impressive accomplishment to be named a finalist,” said association CEO Kevin Lee, noting that finalists range from family-run businesses that do a few projects each year to larger companies developing entire neighbourhoods.
Winners in 48 categories will be announced May 15.
Three special awards for design, renovation and marketing will also be given to those with the best overall standing in selected categories.
North Gower-based Park View Homes is up for the most trophies locally, with nominations in three production home categories.
Park View nominations:
Park View Homes’ Clifton is a finalist for two trophies: best entry-level home under 1,500 sq. ft. and best attached low-rise home under 1,500 sq. ft. The townhome bungalow is an end unit with 1,334 sq. ft., two bedrooms and two baths. Like all Park View homes, it’s Energy Star certified for energy efficiency.
The Morewood Plus netted Park View its third nomination. It’s a finalist for the production home award between 2,101 and 2,400 sq. ft. The open-concept Morewood Plus is a bungalow with three bedrooms, an office, a three-car garage and more. It was also a finalist at Ottawa’s 2024 Housing Design Awards.
“It’s incredible to see the team’s hard work recognized on a national level,” says Park View Homes president Jacob Cinnamon. “We are thrilled to have two of the nominations for our bungalow townhome product, more of which is soon available in our Bellamy Farm Phase 3 community.”
Three other Ottawa finalists — Minto Communities, RND Construction and Morgan Quality Homes — have all been nominated in two categories each. Both Minto and RND have been frequent CHBA nominees and winners in the past.
Minto’s nominations:
Minto’s Oasis, which was the 2024 Minto dream home in the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime lottery, is up for best detached production home over 2,800 square feet.
Boasting everything from a yoga studio and private spa to a golf simulator in the basement, the 5,000-plus-sq.-ft. home is all about health, wellness and elegance. It features solar panels to help offset the home’s energy needs while reducing its carbon footprint and a heating system that blends an air-source heat pump with a gas furnace.
Take a tour of the 2024 Minto dream home
The Oasis is also up for an award in the best production kitchen category, with Minto and Laurysen Kitchens sharing the nomination. Laurysen created the open-concept kitchen’s custom cabinetry, including a hidden pantry door.
Minto, headquartered in Ottawa, is nominated in several other categories for projects in Toronto and Calgary.
RND nominations:
RND, which last year took home the award with Hobin Architecture for best custom home or net zero renovation, is up this time with Simmonds Architecture for best detached custom home, 3,001-4,000 sq. ft.
Ironspot Modern, as the home is dubbed, is a contemporary split-level home inspired by mid-century design with floor-to-ceiling and clerestory windows, walnut and iron-grey millwork, and strong visual connections between the interior and exterior.
The home was a double winner at last fall’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
RND, with Andre Godin Design, is also a finalist for best custom kitchen. It won in its kitchen category at the local level last fall.
“We are trilled to have two finalists from over 1,000 submissions,” says Roy Nandram, RND’s owner and president. “We partner with amazing architects, suppliers and subcontractors, and along with RND’s team we are able to produce outstanding projects. More important, we have great clients who allow us to do what we do… Keeping our fingers crossed for the awards gala in Victoria B.C.”
Morgan nominations:
Morgan Quality Homes with The Cabinet Connection is a finalist for best kitchen renovation, $70,000-$100,000, with its industrial-accented entry The Show Kitchen & The Moody Butler.
The kitchen is part of the second nomination for Morgan and The Cabinet Connection: best whole home renovation under $200,000.
The company was a finalist in an earlier CHBA awards competition and for the All Things Home People’s Choice Award, a prominent component of the Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
“It feels very overwhelming,” says Morgan Quality Homes’ president, Jake Morgan. “When we entered, we thought because it’s Canada-wide we didn’t have a chance, so it’s such an honour to be nominated. I think being a finalist shows how well we all work together and that people are noticing the time and detail we devote to our projects.”
Here’s a list of the local 2025 CHBA awards finalists
Best Entry-Level Home:
Park View Homes – Clifton
Best Attached Low-Rise Home under 1,500 sq. ft.:
Park View Homes – Clifton
Best Detached Production Home 2,101-2,400 sq. ft.:
Park View Homes – The Morewood Plus
Best Detached Production Home over 2,800 sq. ft.:
Minto Communities – The Oasis
Best Production Kitchen
Minto Communities and Laurysen Kitchens – The Oasis
Best Detached Custom Home 3,001-4,000 sq. ft.:
RND Construction with Simmonds Architecture – Ironspot Modern
Best Custom Kitchen
RND Construction with Andre Godin Design – Rideau Gardens
Best Kitchen Renovation $70,000-$100,000
Morgan Quality Homes with The Cabinet Connection – The Show Kitchen & The Moody Butler
Best Whole Home Renovation under $200,000
Morgan Quality Homes with The Cabinet Connection – The Western Industrial Bungalow
The full list of finalists can be seen at chba.ca.
