Edmonton developer wins global award

May 5, 2020

Edmonton land developer Beaverbrook Communities has beaten out eight finalists from around the world to win the prestigious Global Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) International Award for Planning Excellence.
The RTPI Awards are the longest running, and considered the most highly regarded, awards in the industry. The awards champion the very best examples of global planning and planners.
The award ceremony was held—albeit virtually due to the pandemic—April 30 at the Milton Court Concert Hall in London, England.
Beaverbrook Group of Companies, the only Canadian developer in the competition, was chosen among finalists from China, Dubai, India, and Ireland.
It won for its Sustainability Plaza (the Plaza) at the Hills of Charlesworth subdivision in southeast Edmonton, where 850 to 900 homes are being built.
The Plaza, designed with Stantec Consulting Ltd., is an eco-friendly recreation hub that serves as the focal point and gathering place for residents.
Some of the green concepts employed at the Plaza include a custom system to collect rainwater for the community gardens, shelters made of repurposed sea cans, and hybrid wind- and solar-powered lighting. Solar energy also powers the Plaza Wi-Fi and the playground.
The Plaza also features a disc golf course and a 200-metre ice skating ribbon for the use of residents.
George Cantalini, Beaverbrook CEO, said of the win, “We are truly honoured to have won this award. As a business whose core value is innovation, it is rewarding to have been recognized for our cutting-edge approach amongst such a high calibre of international projects that are setting the bar for the future.”
The Hills of Charlesworth community was launched mid-2016 and is 50 per cent completed as
Dolce Vita Homes, Bedrock Homes and Jayman Built are constructing single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes. In adherence with the sustainability model, each home must have energy efficient, water saving and clean air features. There are also requirements for recycling and participation in a municipal construction waste management program which requires a landfill diversion rate of 50 per cent or more.