Minto Named 2012 Ontario Home Builder of the Year

57 year-old home builder takes home top award from the Ontario Home Builders' Association Awards of Distinction

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - On Monday night, real estate and development company The Minto Group was awarded the prestigious Ontario Home Builder of the Year Award at the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) Annual Awards of Distinction dinner in Collingwood. Minto was also awarded Most Outstanding High or Mid Rise Condo Suite (up to 800 square feet) for 88 Sheppard's "Bamboo Suite."

The Home Builder of the Year Award is presented to the home builder who best "demonstrates outstanding professionalism and integrity within their business, industry and community." Decided by a panel of industry professionals, nominees were judged on their excellence in sales and marketing, innovative product, community service and strong support of the industry.

Minto is dedicated to building exceptional new communities through continuous improvement in design, energy efficiency and customer experience. "We are honoured to be receiving this recognition from our industry peers," said CEO Roger Greenberg. "It confirms that our commitment to lifestyle, innovation, design and sustainability translate into quality and value for our customers, and inspires us to continue creating healthy, vibrant communities for inspired living."

Minto, which develops and manages properties in Ontario, Alberta and Florida, has built over 70,000 new homes. In 2011, Minto continued to integrate innovative technologies into new developments and existing buildings, including electric vehicle charging stations, extensive envelope enhancements, photovoltaics and LED lighting. As part of the EQuilibrium Communities initiative in partnership with the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC), Minto is in the process of constructing the first zero energy condominium in its Ampersand community in Ottawa.

Minto prides itself on building communities, not just houses - donating to over 200 charities each year. In the past year, Minto made a $2.5 million donation to the University of Ottawa sports complex, as well as demonstrated its promotion of environmental and social responsibility by donating $1.1 million to the University of Waterloo's newest and most progressive Faculty of Environment building. Minto continued to fund and raise awareness for a number of charitable initiatives including sponsorship of the annual Minto Run for Reach, For The Kids Charity Auction, United Way, construction of the 11^th CHEO dream home, and raised $54,000 for cancer research during the CEO-led Ride The Rideau 100 kilometre cycle.

Since 2010, Minto has built and certified all of its 1,200 new low rise homes to the ENERGY STAR standard, delivering more comfortable homes that cost less to operate. Minto's high rise condominiums are built to minimum LEED Silver certification standards. To date, six Minto communities have received LEED certification, while nine certifications are currently in progress.

Previously, Minto won the OHBA GREEN Builder of the Year award in 2008, 2010 and 2011 after continuously delivering environmentally-friendly building designs, leading-edge waste management strategies, a strong internal green culture and support of the green building industry. The criteria for the Green Builder of the Year Award have now been incorporated into the Home Builder of the Year Award.

About Minto: The Minto Group, established in 1955, is an Ottawa-based real estate, development, construction and property management company with operations also in Toronto, London (ON), Calgary, and South Florida.

SOURCE: The Minto Group

Media Contact:
Gwen Cox, Director of Communications
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