By Chloe Perreault, Communication Strategist, CHBA
The CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence celebrates the best of Canadian homebuilding and community development. Projects are evaluated on a number of criteria, including community vision, architectural features and design, livability, amenities, environmental considerations, innovation and more.
In 2025, one theme rose above the rest: Community-first design. The winning entries, presented at the grand finale of CHBA’s Home Building Week in Victoria, feature more than beautiful homes: They are vibrant places to live, connect and thrive.
Whether a highrise oasis or a master-planned neighbourhood, these projects reimagine what it means to come home. Here’s how the winners of four key categories – Best Mid- to Highrise (Completed and Planned), Best New Community, and Best Growing Community – are raising the bar through exceptional community amenities.
Across these four exceptional projects, one common thread shines through: Amenities aren’t just perks; they’re pillars designed to foster connection, support healthy lifestyles and enhance everyday living.
As the demand for livable, sustainable and socially connected spaces continues to grow, these winners show the way forward for developers across Canada. They prove that when design puts people first, communities don’t just succeed – they flourish.
Best Mid- to Highrise Building (Completed)
TESORO – Concert Properties Ltd., Vancouver
A beacon on Vancouver’s Southeast False Creek, TESORO is more than an iconic tower – it’s a community built for wellness, elegance and everyday luxury.
“We had a great partnership with the city of Vancouver. Working with them, we created a below market rental building that they own and operate, and then we built three other condo buildings on this property,” Kate Sunderland Ratzlaff, Director of Development for Concert Properties, said during an interview with CHBA CEO Kevin Lee after accepting the award. “The final building in this 10-year process is our luxury, high-end condo building TESORO. The City of Vancouver required architectural excellence for the building, and it was quite a feat.”
Designed with the discerning urban dweller in mind, TESORO’s common spaces offer a resort-caliber experience: a European-inspired spa with steam rooms and hot/cold plunge pools, a fitness centre, social lounge and guest suites. A double-height lobby sets a sophisticated tone, while private dining spaces and chef’s kitchens bring people together. The parkade itself is elevated beyond utility – complete with murals, elegant lighting and hospitality-inspired design.
Outside, pathways link the building to the Seawall, SkyTrain, Science World and the greater False Creek community. TESORO doesn’t just connect residents to nature and city life – it connects them to each other.
Best New Community
Wildflower – Minto Group, Calgary
Wildflower, in Airdrie, Alta., is redefining the meaning of “residential community” with its unmatched blend of resort-style amenities and everyday functionality. It’s a place where people of all ages and stages can find joy, connection and convenience.
“We’ve had the vision for this community for a number of years, and to see it taking shape and to get the recognition (as a national award winner) is really something that makes our team proud,” said Alex Braun, Vice-President of Development at Minto Communities, when he accepted the award on behalf of the company during the Glitter & Groove award ceremony on May 15.
The community boasts Airdrie’s first outdoor pool, a year-round hot tub, pickleball and basketball courts, a bike pump track, skating rinks and a fully programmed amenity building. Led by a dedicated Lifestyle Manager, events and activities bring neighbours together throughout the seasons.
With its elevated topography, scenic ponds and energy-efficient homes, Wildflower marries natural beauty with forward-thinking sustainability. Add in future commercial retail and school sites, and it becomes clear: Wildflower is more than a neighbourhood – it’s a destination for modern family life.
Best Mid- to Highrise Building (Planned)
Rundle Park – Cielle Properties, Vancouver
Bringing bold luxury to the Canadian Rockies, Rundle Park is Canmore’s most visionary mixed-use development – crafted for visitors, investors and families alike.
At the heart of the project is a Scandinavian-style wellness retreat, a first for the region. Residents will enjoy hot and cold infinity pools, sauna pods, a fitness facility and wellness rooms – all framed by expansive mountain views. A grand lobby with timber beams and curtain walls welcomes guests like a five-star resort.
Amenities go beyond indulgence: Kids can enjoy an indoor play trailer, families can gather around fire pits, and guests can relax in both communal and private zones. With cutting-edge materials such as Lumon windows and New-Tech wood, Rundle Park blends sustainable innovation with a luxury lodge feel.
Best Growing Community:
Chappelle Gardens – Brookfield Residential (Alberta) LP, Edmonton
What makes a community thrive over time? In Chappelle Gardens, located in southwest Edmonton, it’s a rich network of shared spaces, active programming, and thoughtful design that brings people together across seasons and lifestyles.
The centrepiece is the Social House, a 6,600-sq.-ft. facility that hosts fitness classes, summer camps, events and seasonal activities. Surrounding it is a splash park that becomes a skating rink in winter, basketball and hockey courts, a community tool shed and playgrounds galore.
Community garden plots, a seed library and pollinator greenways promote sustainable living, while walking trails connect to ponds and natural areas. Even the architectural landscape reflects community values – with diverse home styles, welcoming entryways, and vibrant landscaping that makes every corner feel intentional and lived-in.
