La Vita Land receives nominations for Fireside and The Willows communities

While Calgary's economic downturn has provided its share of challenges to builders, it did not stop the best of the industry from competing for the 2016 SAM Awards.

After receiving 800 entries, BILD Calgary Region has announced their 2016 SAM Awards finalists featuring 78 companies spread across 10 categories, competing for some 60 different awards.

"The awards are proof that BILD Calgary Region members have the drive and ability to create outstanding communities, homes, renovations, marketing collateral and so much more, even in the face of economic adversity," said Shane Wenzel, the chair of the SAM Awards Committee and president of Shane Homes Ltd. "This perseverance shows the dedication and determination of our industry, which makes winning a SAM Award that much more of an accomplishment."

Builders busy in surrounding region

Homebuilders and developers continue to be active in the surrounding area, with a number of new, highly anticipated communities under various stages of development.

CREB®Now takes a closer look at several noteworthy projects currently underway:

Harmony in Springbank

Harmony, located west of the City adjacent to the TransCanada Highway, is a joint-venture management partnership between Bordeaux Developments and Qualico Communities. The master-planned community will not only have 3,500 homes when all is said and done, but will also have its own village retail core and a large lake and wetland area.

95 companies announced as 2015 SAM Awards finalists

Nearly 100 companies and professionals in the Calgary and area's residential construction industry were recognized Thursday as the newly amalgamated CHBA – UDI Calgary Region Association announced finalists for the 2015 Sales and Marketing (SAM) Awards.

The 29th annual awards, which celebrates and acknowledges innovation and excellence in the industry, will hand out 60 piece of hardware, including the top Grand SAMs – three builder categories (Builder of the Year, Builder of Merit for a small-volume builder and Multi-Family Builder of the Year).

Live-work concept grabs holds in Cochrane

In a town of less than 20,000 residents, the traditionally large urban centred live-work concept is proving to be a big hit.
Cochrane town council has just given approval of amendments to its land-use bylaw to ensure specific guidelines are in place for both developers and owners of units in mixed-use residential/commercial projects.

This comes after LaVita Properties, the developer behind Cochrane's first live/work project aptly titled Satellite Townhomes in Sunset Ridge's Trading Post development announced it is already planning a second similar venture.

La Vita Land to redevelop historic site

The Town of Cochrane announced Tuesday that it has sold its old town hall site to local developer La Vita Land Inc. for $2.75 million.

La Vita will redevelop the site to act as a "gateway and visual welcome to the heart of Cochrane, including the historic downtown area, from Highway 1A via Centre Avenue," said the Town in a release.

Council approved a framework for development, creating the Downtown Heritage District in 2015, that led to the call for proposals.