The winners of the 2013 Don Smith Commercial Building Awards were unveiled yesterday, February 4, 2014, to a capacity crowd at the London Club.
The winners of the Don Smith Commercial Building Awards, established by the Regional Commercial Council of LSTAR and sponsored by CBRE, Dancor Construction, Elgin County and Millennium Real Estate Solutions, were announced on February 4th to a capacity crowd at the London Club. According to Jack Lane, RCC Chair Elect, the awards program was established, "to recognize, reward and celebrate excellence and innovation in commercial building right here at home." The program was named after the late Don Smith, legendary co-founder of EllisDon, a world-renowned construction company with London roots.
The 20 entrants to the competition were judged on how environmentally sensitive the individual buildings were; on design and innovation; and on the extent to which they met a specific developmental need within the broader community. A total of 9 awards were presented. The panel of distinguished judges included:
- Bill Code, Professor Emeritus and Founding Director of the Urban Development Program of the Western University
- David Murphy, President, Murphy and Murphy Architects Inc.
- Joe Ruscitti, Editor in Chief of the London Free Press;
- Jim Yanchula, Manager, Community Planning and Design, City of London;
- Peter White, Executive Director of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Western University; who was our chair of the Judges Panel
Before the Awards ceremony began, Don Smith was honoured by Brian Waltham, VP EllisDon Corporation, Don's daughter Lynne Cram and a special toast given by Don's great friend Claude Pensa Q.C.
Awards were presented for:
Commercial Building Achievement Category (two categories)
- Commercial Renovation Winner
- 3M Canada Corporate Headquarters Expansion and Renovation (300 Tartan Dr);
- 3M Canada Corporate Headquarters Expansion and Renovation (300 Tartan Dr);
- Commercial New Build Winner
- 725-751 Fanshawe Park Road West
- 725-751 Fanshawe Park Road West
Industrial Building Achievement Category (two categories)
- Industrial Renovation
- Columbia Sportswear Canadian Headquarters (1425 Max Brose Drive);
- Columbia Sportswear Canadian Headquarters (1425 Max Brose Drive);
- Industrial New Build Winner
- Southwest Doors & Hardware Ltd. (3851 Commerce Road);
- Southwest Doors & Hardware Ltd. (3851 Commerce Road);
Institutional Building Achievement Category (three categories)
- Institutional Education Winner
- The Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University (1255 Western Road);
- The Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University (1255 Western Road);
- Institutional Healthcare Winner
- Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (467 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas);
- Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (467 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas);
- Institutional Community Winner
- St. André Bessette Catholic Secondary School (2727 Tokala Trail);
- St. André Bessette Catholic Secondary School (2727 Tokala Trail);
Industrial Technology Achievement Winner
- Wind Engineering Energy & Environment Dome (Windeee) (2535 Advanced Ave.)
Multi-Family Building Achievement Winner
- The Residenza Italia (1109 Hamilton Road)
Also present at the event were Jim Holody, 2014 LSTAR President, Members of the RCC Executive, Jack Lane, the RCC Chair Elect, as well as Phil Dorner, President of OREA, Phil Nanavati, Chair Elect of the Canadian Commercial Council, Eavan Travers, Ontario Director of the Canadian Commercial Council.
Speaking about this event, Jim Holody, 2014 LSTAR President said: "I know that it's been said by Past President Doug and others, but I would like to add, that events like the LSTAR Commercial Building Awards just don't happen on their own - it takes planning, leadership and action. LSTAR EVP Betty Doré and her staff and the Commercial Council Committee met the challenge again with a 'Gold Medal Performance'.
Also, the event was only possible because of the financial contributions of Peter Whatmore and CBRE, Dancor, Millennium Real Estate Solutions, Elgin County, Voyageur Transportation Services and the members of LSTAR. Thank you all for your generous financial support!
It is through high-profile events such as the LSTAR Commercial Building Awards and LSTAR's charitable giving, that the members of the London and St Thomas Association of REALTORS® continue to show the public that they are professionals who encourage excellence and social responsibility in London, St. Thomas and our surrounding communities."
