Seven hundred attend HOBI Awards dinner at which Norwalk rental community was recognized for revitalizing its north side neighborhood and providing more affordable rental housing
Norwalk, CT – On Wednesday November 14, a record 700 home building industry professionals attended the 19th annual HOBI Awards Gala at the Aqua Turf in Southington. Sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Connecticut, the HOBI Awards has been the state’s most prestigious home building industry awards program, recognizing builders, remodelers and developers throughout Connecticut for excellence in design, construction, remodeling, and land development since 1993.
At the dinner, Summerview Development Group was presented with three home building industry awards for their Norwalk rental community, Summerview Square.
SUMMERVIEW SQUARE
Summerview Square won awards for Best Affordably Priced Rental Community, Best Rental Unit and Best Fairfield County Smart Growth Community.
Four leading home building industry professionals reviewed close to two hundred new construction applications, and then toured some of the custom homes and communities entered. The HOBI judges were particularly impressed by the positive effect this infill community has had on its West Main Street neighborhood; the fact that it is Norwalk’s first green infill community; and that it’s constructed with Made in America building materials.
HOBI judge and developer, Mario DiGioia commented, “The neighborhood has been enlivened by Summerview’s front porches and Victorian architecture, and it’s evident that many neighborhood residents have spruced up their older two family homes.”
Another HOBI judge, Tony Calistro, who is Director of Education at Ring’s End Lumber, noted the use of green building materials. “The carpeting is made from recycled bottles and the heating and cooling system is highly energy-efficient. They even recycle their construction waste. I also like the fact that Summerview built an elaborate on site storm water disposal system, so they are not impacting the city’s infrastructure.”
Three years ago, Fairfield County builders, Andrew LaSala and Steven Berko of Summerview Development Group, were hired by Westchester asset management company, Seavest Inc to develop four land parcels in a run down neighborhood of Norwalk bordered by West Main and Summer Streets. Today, construction is underway on the last phase of the 63 unit rental community known as Summerview Square, and this once blighted neighborhood has been rejuvenated.
Jaclyn Casavant had to wait until a later phase of construction was completed to move to Summerview from her apartment at The Lofts in Stamford. “Summerview is a way better value for my money,” she said. “It’s just one block to the main shopping area, and it takes me ten minutes to get to work. “
Norwalk Development Director, Tad Diesel believes that moderately priced housing like Summerview Square is vital to retaining and attracting businesses. “New businesses have opened and neighborhood restaurants are thriving. I think the Main Street area will continue to experience an uplift as the last phase of Summerview is finished,” said Diesel.
Norwalk Mayor Richard A. Moccia remarked, “Summerview Square was developed in a way that makes Norwalk proud. The project has been an opportunity to build beautiful apartment homes for people, and to improve the value of homes in the area."
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SUMMERVIEW SQUARE
About Summerview Development Group
Summerview Developemnt Group is a full service construction management and general contracting company specializing in large scale residential and commercial construction.
Andrew LaSala, Director of Construction for Cannondale Building & Design, has been a high-rise contractor and developer in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area. In recent years, he has restored historic homes and built and remodeled high end custom homes. Andrew has served as served as President of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County (HBRA), and he was recognized as 2011 Fairfield County Builder of the Year. Cannondale Building and Design serves as the Managing Partner for the Summerview Development Group.
Steven Berko, owner of Four Square Building and Design, has 25 years of experience as a mechanical contractor, a landscape contractor and a builder of custom homes and multi-family.
Summerview Development Group has been active in the Building Hope Foundation, a not-for-profit organization set up by HBRA to provide housing assistance for those in need in the Fairfield County community.