Cardel Homes scoops up trophies at SAMMY Awards
By Patricia Hitsman ,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Saturday, September 15, 2012
The first time is always special.
And that was the case for Cardel Homes at the SAMMY Awards on Sept. 5.
For the first time they took the Grand Sammy Award which is awarded to the company that won the most trophies at the annual Sales and Marketing (SAMMY) Awards presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA).
Cardel Homes racked up six glass trophies including the Grand Sammy. The other five included awards for Best Townhome Over 1,500 Square Feet, Best Single-family Home 2,000-2,499 Square Feet, Best Single-family Home 2,500-2,999 Square Feet, Best Oversized Lot Model, and Best Print Ad - Builder.
The SAMMY Awards put the spotlight on everything from the best model homes in the city to best builder brochure, website or advertisement. Model homes, which are showcases for builders, play a role in attracting buyers just as brochures, advertisements, sales centres and sales people are vital in bringing in clients.
Greg Graham, president of Cardel’s Ottawa division, was excited his team took the Grand Sammy Award.
“I think it’s great recognition because we did so well with our model homes this year,” said Graham. “We put a lot of focus into the design and innovation of our homes.”
And being innovative is key for Cardel Homes and Graham believes this is what makes their homes stand out.
“I think it’s attention to detail and the functionality of our homes.”
It was the North Hampton model in Blackstone in Kanata that won them the Best Single-family Home 2,000-2,499 Square Feet Award. It’s a three-bedroom home on Westphalian Avenue that has 2,413 square feet, a great room that is open to above, and a large second-storey bonus room. Graham says this secondary living space with plenty of windows is a key attraction in this home. He adds that the book-ended breakfast bar that is tucked in between a column and a wall is particularly popular with female customers.
The Berkshire II, at 2,549 square feet and located on the same street as the North Hampton model, won Cardel the award for Best Single-family Home 2,500-2,999 Square Feet. It has a 12-foot ceiling in the great room and a luxurious and spacious kitchen. It has an amazing covered, rear deck off of the eating nook. It is this feature that makes the back of the house look as prominent as the front of the house.
The McKinley model in King’s Grant in Richmond on Moore Street snagged Cardel Homes the Best Oversized Lot Model Award. Graham says its open concept is “awe inspiring”. The kitchen is stunning and huge in this 2,527-square-foot home. There’s even a corner nook in the kitchen that makes for a great home tech station area.
The Briarwood model in Orleans won Cardel the Best Townhome Over 1,500 Square Feet Award. Graham says they were striving for the feel of a single-family home in this attached house.
Also racking up a number of awards on Sept. 5 were Holitzner Homes and Monarch Corporation.
Holitzner Homes took three awards for Best Community, Best Single-family Home 3,000 Square Feet and Over, and Best Single Bungalow.
“It’s a nice little community,” said Carmen Fleguel, president of Holitzner Homes, referring to the Kanata North community of Mosaic which won them the award.
Mosaic is a small enclave of 18 townhomes that was an infill project. It features classic-styled townhomes with stone and Cape Cod siding and accents.
“We sold them out fast,” said Fleguel.
She adds they used a lot of landscaping detail and placed as much importance on the design of the backs of these homes.
While Holitzner has built many other developments in Stittsville, Barrhaven and Carp, this was the first time they had put an entry into the Best Community category.
Their Denbury model home in Deer Run in Stittsville netted them the Best Single-family Home 3,000 Square Feet and Over. The kitchen in this home boasts contrasting light and dark cabinetry. The master bedroom features an ensuite with a two-sided fireplace.
The 2,067-square-foot Hampton model, also in Deer Run, brought Holitzner the award for Best Bungalow. It has a loft overlooking the great room and the master retreat “is like an upscale boutique hotel”.
Monarch’s Fairway model in Stonebridge in Barrhaven won Best Condo Model - Low-rise. The Fairway is a two-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, two-storey condo unit.
Monarch also won the awards for Best Builder Sales Centre and Best Builder Brochure.
Best Builder Website went to Phoenix Homes. Best Industry Partner Website went to Southam Design. Avenue Design also walked away with a number of logo and marketing awards.
Various other awards were also handed out at the event.