The 17th annual Awards for Housing Excellence gala brought together a sold-out crowd of 542 professionals at The Westin Bayshore on April 18, celebrating outstanding achievements in homebuilding across Metro Vancouver. Organized by The Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN), the event recognized exceptional work in 67 categories, honoring builders, renovators, designers, and industry leaders for their creativity, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking projects that redefined housing and design in 2025.
A Night of Recognition
Throughout the evening, honorees received applause for their innovative contributions to the housing sector. HAVAN CEO Wendy McNeil highlighted the significance of the awards, stating: "The range of winners across the categories this year speaks to the strength of our industry and how competitive our market has become, making a HAVAN Award a significant achievement." She added that the program is reviewed annually to reflect the changing housing landscape, with categories addressing modern housing challenges such as small-scale multi-unit housing, multiplexes, and modular solutions for the "missing middle."
Standout Winners
Several companies and individuals stood out among the winners. Vancouver-based Laura Grist Interior Design Inc. earned the Grand HAVAN for Interior Designer of the Year and Best Bathroom Renovation under 50 sq. ft. for "Hidden in Plain Sight," a condo's reimagined powder room. Laura Grist remarked: "Getting the recognition that we’re ‘as good as we think we are’ is always nice when that’s confirmed. This win is the culmination of 18 years of design, clients trusting us with their homes, long-standing relationships with contractors and trades, and a team that’s been designing side-by-side for the past eight years."
HIT Quality Construction, led by founder and chief builder James Murphy, took home three awards, including the prestigious Grand HAVAN Residential Renovator of the Year. Murphy expressed his gratitude: "Receiving the Renovator of the Year is both an honor and a meaningful milestone for our team. Being recognized by our peers makes this especially significant, as it reflects our commitment to excellence, our passion for thoughtful design and craftsmanship, and the strong relationships we build along the way."
North Shore’s Hasler Homes also won three awards: Best Custom Home ($5 million – Under $10 million), Best New Custom Kitchen (Under $175,000), Best Energy Labelled Home (Custom), and the Grand HAVAN Custom Home Builder of the Year. President Greg Hasler noted: "Winning the Grand HAVAN Custom Home Builder of the Year award is a meaningful milestone for both me and our entire team. It represents years of dedication, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to excellence. Most importantly, it motivates us to keep raising the bar. This recognition isn’t a finish line; it’s a reminder to continue innovating, improving, and delivering homes that exceed expectations."
Impact on the Industry
The HAVAN Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also set benchmarks for quality and innovation in residential construction, renovation, and design. By highlighting best practices and forward-thinking projects, the awards help homeowners identify professionals who consistently deliver industry-leading results. As the housing market evolves, events like this gala play a crucial role in fostering excellence and addressing the region's housing challenges.
