Parade of Homes

BUILDING COMMUNITIES, one home at a time The Manitoba Home Builders' Association (MHBA) is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2017, and for most of its history, Qualico Developments Ltd. has been a steadfast partner. Founders David and Katherine Friesen set out to "build homes, not houses," when they launched the business as Quality Construction in 1951. For the past 66 years, the company has shared the MHBA's commitment to fostering a vibrant home-construction industry, and showcasing innovation in Canada's largest Parade of Homes. "QUALICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER IN SUPPORTING THEIR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION," SAYS FORMER MHBA PRESIDENT MIKE MOORE. "These contributions have included providing four Chairs of the Board: David Friesen, Brian Hastings, John Daniels (twice) and Kevin Van. Qualico staff have also volunteered countless hours and provided insight and guidance to the MHBA through our committees, such as the Technical Research Committee, Parade of Homes Committee and the Government Liaison committee. Their contribution to the MHBA, both past and present, has been tremendous." From its first seven homes in River Heights, Qualico has grown to become the largest integrated home construction and land development company in Western Canada. Today, thousands of families in neighbourhoods throughout Winnipeg and on its doorstep live in a Qualico home, and the company's single-family division continues to break new ground under the Broadview Homes and Sterling Homes brands. For the first time, Sterling Homes has incorporated solar energy in one of its Winnipeg show homes, in Qualico Communities' new Taylor Farm development in Headingley. The spacious bungalow at 10 Southdown Lane is equipped with a 20-panel solar energy system from Sunprint Energy. Beautiful and virtually maintenance-free, the system will reduce the home's environmental footprint and generate enough electricity to reduce utility bills for generations to come. "Building codes are continuously changing, making all of our homes energy efficient, but this is that next step," says Ken Braun, Qualico Developments Ltd. vice-president of single-family housing. A total of 14 Broadview and Sterling show homes are entered in the Fall Parade of Homes, from a relatively modest Broadview Homes duplex in Transcona to a luxury Sterling show home in Qualico's RidgeWood West development that boasts another unique solar feature — a sunroom. Broadview Homes & Sterling Homes P R O F I L E While energy efficiency has long been a priority, home buyers are increasingly focused on lifestyle, and the Parade of Homes reflects changing wants and needs. Braun says large houses are being built on smaller lots to reduce yard maintenance, and smaller homes are not necessarily downsized when it comes to amenities. Instead, they're customized to suit buyers' individual needs and tastes. "They can take the smallest duplex home and upgrade to the features that you'd find in a top-end home just by visiting our design centre," Braun says. "We are very flexible. We semi-customize every home. We try to maintain the same footprint and in that sense we can reduce the cost of making the changes that the purchaser is looking for." ALONG WITH ITS PARADE ENTRIES, BROADVIEW HOMES WILL HAVE FIVE ADDITIONAL SHOW HOMES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING THIS FALL, AS WELL AS A SELECTION OF QUICK-POSSESSION HOMES. "Not everybody has the ability to sell their existing home and wait until their new home is ready, so we try to have a good supply available so that people can make the transition easier," Braun says. "We've always tried to meet the needs of the market." Discover how Broadview Homes and Sterling Homes can meet your needs at qualicowinnipeg.ca. 146 Parade of Homes FALL 2017

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