Eyes on the prize

2018 Stampede Rotary Dream Home evokes "Mad Men with a modern twist"

Now in its 23rd year of building the Stampede Rotary Dream Home, Homes by Avi's 2018 version of the Stampede staple provides sophisticated glitz and glamour with a 1960s vibe.

"The theme is moody, elegant, mid-century modern," said Christian Orme, Homes by Avi corporate marketing manager. White walls and natural light coming from expansive windows throughout offset the home's gold and black highlights.

"It's Mad Men (the popular TV series set in the 1960s advertising world) with a modern twist," said Orme.

Courtesy Homes by Avi

The two-storey, 2,438-square-foot house – to be relocated from Stampede Park to the southeast community of Walden – has three bedrooms, including a master suite with ensuite bathroom, walk-in closet and an attached "retreat" area that's perfect for morning coffee or evening cocktails. Outside the retreat sits an additional loft sitting area.

Julie Punter, Homes by Avi's manager of showhome selections and presentation, says the builder's team starts planning next year's dream home as soon as this year's is won.

"We try to be ahead of the trend curve," she said. "Every year we put our biggest foot forward."
More than 150,000 people visited last year's dream home on the Stampede grounds, and the home won the Calgary builder a national housing marketing award for interior decorating.

For Punter, the 2018 home's "wow" factor comes from the master retreat and unique details like the black and gold kitchen bar cart, which is moveable from room to room.

The dream home prize package includes $100,000 cash, interior furnishings, a hot tub and parlour games, making the overall value of the prize more than $1 million for the first time.

"People talk about there being one winner of the home, but we touch thousands of people." - Craig Stokke, Rotary Club of Calgary South dream home chair

Craig Stokke, dream home chair for the Rotary Club of Calgary South, says last year's lottery supported 32 charities and "every year the list gets longer, especially when the economy is not doing well."

Now in its 41st year, the lottery has raised millions for Rotary charities, from Meals on Wheels to Wood's Homes. Each year, Rotarians put in 7,000 to 8,000 on-site volunteer hours selling tickets at Stampede Park.

"It is an important legacy," said Stokke, who is also president of Seller Direct Real Estate. "People talk about there being one winner of the home, but we touch thousands of people. There is not one winner, there are thousands."

Homes by Avi, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, built its first dream home in 1995. It has built one every year since, apart from a one-year break in 1996.

"The goal each year is to push the envelope and have that 'wow' factor, to sell as many tickets to support the Rotary Club," said Orme.

Anyone can tour the home and buy tickets at the Calgary Stampede, or buy their tickets online at www.calgarystampedelotteries.ca/prizes.php.