2004 Homer Awards Gala: Home builders honor industry's best

Toll Bros. and Pardee Homes shared the spotlight with their industry peers at the 21st annual Homer Awards banquet hosted by the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association. Toll Bros. captured Home of the Year honors for a residence at Red Rock Country Club in Summerlin, while Pardee received a Judges Special Award in addition to taking top honors in eight of the 17 categories.

About 500 industry representatives gathered at the MGM Grand on Oct. 16 to celebrate the best in the local housing market. The winners were determined by four judges, all from outside Nevada, who reviewed 77 entries then toured the finalists' model-home parks.

The Home of the Year award went to Toll Bros. for its Vercelli model, which also won in its respective category of Best Single Family Detached Home.

The two-story residence, geared for "affluent move-up buyers ... and families," measures 5,068 square feet. It has four bedrooms, four baths and two garages for three cars. Additional highlights include an arched turret door entry that leads to an interior courtyard, as well as a formal living and dining room, a family room, library, study and a kitchen with a dining area.

The judges praised the home as "a triumph of design and execution," adding "from the interior design to quality construction, this home redefines the word `originality' and showcases home building as an art form."

A Judges Special Award went to Pardee Homes for its Plan One model at San Rafael. The judges selected the residence because of its functionality, particularly in the kitchen and living areas. The design also received an award in its respective category of Best Single Family Detached Home.

The judges also praised the local new-home market in general. One noted, "The homes by Southern Nevada builders are the essence of innovation with a strong sense of tradition and place."

Association President Joel Laub of Astoria Homes thanked the membership for the "outstanding housing" they produce.

Developer Randy Black was master of ceremonies.

The association has about 750 members and is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders.

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