Commercial Building Awards
The Commercial Building Awards (CBAs) established by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) recognize outstanding workmanship and design in commercial buildings within the VIREB area (from the top of the Malahat to the northern tip of the island). Each year, winners are selected by a panel of independent judges from various professional and development industries. The Commercial Building Awards are normally presented at a gala event in the spring, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were held in a virtual format this year. Check out the awards video below! Please note that while we normally post photos of the winners with their prizes, that wasn't possible this year. In lieu, check our our Official Souvenir Award Book here that contains photos of all the nominated buildings.
Recent Winner - 2020
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2020 Judges' Choice Award and Award of Excellence - Institutional: Tourism Tofino
2020 Award of Excellence - Apartment: Village on Third, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Excellence - Hospitality: Ucluelet Brewing Company
2020 Award of Excellence - Industrial: 1851 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Excellence - Mixed-Use: Cardea, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Excellence - Office: Portsmouth Professional Centre, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Excellence - Retail: Snaw-Naw-As Market, Lantzville/Nanoose
2020 Award of Excellence - Retail Renovation: RE/MAX Mid-Island Realty, Port Alberni
2020 Award of Excellence - Seniors: Berwick, Qualicum Beach
2020 Award of Excellence - Social-Community: Braidwood Supportive Housing, Courtenay
2020 Award of Excellence - Townhouse: Azalea, Courtenay
2020 Award of Merit - Apartment: The Arbutus, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Merit - Apartment: The Hub at Pacific Station, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Merit - Apartment: 575 Residences, Campbell River
2020 Award of Merit - Industrial: Island Pacific Transport, Ladysmith
2020 Award of Merit - Industrial: P & R Truck Centre, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Merit - Institutional: Tofino RCMP
2020 Award of Merit - Institutional: Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Merit - Mixed-Use: 91 Chapel, Nanaimo
2020 Award of Merit - Office: The Learning Clinic, Lantzville
Recent Winner - 2019
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2019 Judges' Choice Award: Legasea, Mixed-Use Condominium, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Excellence - Civil: Campbell River Water Supply Centre, Campbell River
2019 Award of Excellence - Community: Centennial Park Covered Multi-Purpose Court Building, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Excellence - Industrial: Herring Gull Warehouse, Parksville
2019 Award of Excellence - Institutional: VIU Centre for Health and Science, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Apartment: The Lookout, Campbell River
2019 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Non-Market: Nuutsumuut Lelum, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Townhome: Glacier View Townhomes, Comox
2019 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Townhome: Magnolia Apartments, Nanaimo (one of two winners in this category)
2019 Award of Excellence - Renovation: Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, Duncan
2019 Award of Excellence - Retail: Quality Foods Harewood, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Merit - Civil: Meade Creek Recycling Facility, Lake Cowichan
2019 Award of Merit - Community: Arbutus Park Washrooms, Youbou
2019 Award of Merit - Industrial: Parhar Business Park, Duncan
2019 Award of Merit - Institutional: Brentwood College Athletic Facility, Mill Bay (one of two winners in this category)
2019 Award of Merit - Institutional: Comox Valley Child Development Centre, Autism Centre of Excellence, Courtenay (one of two winners in this category)
2019 Award of Merit - Mixed Use: Inter Island Design Centre, Parksville
2019 Award of Merit - Multi-Family Apartment: Harbour City Flats, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Merit - Multi-Family Non-Market: Tla-o-qui-aht Demonstration Container Housing, Tofino
2019 Award of Merit - Multi-Family Townhome: Brownstone Townhomes, Campbell River
2019 Award of Merit - Renovation: Building Envelope Remediation Construction Service, Nanaimo
2019 Award of Merit - Retail: Harbourview Autohaus, Nanaimo
Recent Winner - 2018
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2018 Judges' Choice Award: Twin Sail Buildings, Town of Comox Marina Park
2018 Green Award: Memorial Avenue Rain Garden and Retention Pond, Qualicum Beach
2018 Award of Excellence - Community Amenity: Twin Sail Buildings, Town of Comox Marina Park
2018 Award of Excellence - Hospitality Renovation: Kwa'lilas Hotel, Port Hardy
2018 Award of Excellence - Institutional: North Island Hospital, Courtenay
2018 Award of Excellence - Institutional Renovation: Cowichan Tribes Administration & Lands Building Expansion, Duncan
2018 Award of Excellence - Mixed-Use: Riverwalk Centre, Courtenay (co-winner)
2018 Award of Excellence - Mixed-Use: Dakova Square, Duncan (co-winner)
2018 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Apartment: 130 Vancouver Avenue, Nanaimo
2018 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Townhome: Sequoia Lifestyle Homes, Duncan
2018 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Renovation: Forest Glen Manor, Nanaimo
2018 Award of Excellence - Office: Ariyah Place, Nanaimo
2018 Award of Excellence - Retail: Cypre Corner, Tofino
2018 Award of Excellence - Retail Renovation: Extreme Ends Salon and Spa, Courtenay
2018 Award of Excellence - Seniors: Eden Gardens, Nanaimo
Recent Winner - 2017
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2017 Judges' Choice Award: St. Paul's Centre for Ministry and Community Service
2017 Green Award: BC SPCA Nanaimo & District Community Animal Centre
2017 Award of Excellence - Industrial: J.R.E. Hardware Inc., Nanaimo
2017 Award of Excellence - Institutional: BC SPCA Nanaimo & District Community Animal Centre
2017 Award of Excellence - Institutional Renovation: St. Paul's Centre for Ministry and Community Service, Nanaimo
2017 Award of Excellence - Mixed Use: The Thunderbird, Port Alberni
2017 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Apartment: Dover Ridge, Nanaimo
2017 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Townhome - Pacific Station Townhomes, Phase 1, Nanaimo
2017 Award of Excellence - Office Renovation: K.D. Beausoleil, Nanaimo
2017 Award of Excellence - Recreational: Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, Duncan
2017 Award of Excellence - Retail: Billy Gruff's at the Old Country Market, Coombs
2017 Award of Excellence - Retail Renovation: Galaxy Motors, Duncan
Recent Winner - 2016
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2016 Judge's Choice Award: Blue Grouse Winery, Duncan
2016 Award of Excellence - Community: Snuneymuxw First Nations Administration Building, Nanaimo
2016 Award of Excellence - Hospitality: Blue Grouse Winery, Duncan
2016 Award of Excellence - Industrial: Coldstar Solutions Inc., Ladysmith
2016 Award of Excellence - Industrial: Eriks, Nanaimo
2016 Award of Excellence - Institutional: Qualicum Beach Fire Hall, Qualicum Beach
2016 Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Apartment: 4960 Songbird Place, Nanaimo
2016 Award of Excellence - Retail: Madrona Marketplace West, Gabriola Island
2016 Award of Excellence - Retail Automotive: Galaxy Motors, Courtenay
2016 Award of Excellence - Retail Renovation: Pleasant Valley Landing, Nanaimo
Recent Winner - 2015
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Judges Choice Award: Broadstreet Properties and Seymour Pacific Developments Building, Campbell River
Award of Excellence - Office: Broadstreet Properties and Seymour Pacific Developments Building, Campbell River
Award of Excellence - Community Institutional: Uplands Walk Supportive Housing, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Community Institutional, Renovation: Vancouver Island Regional Library, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Multi-Family: Berwick by the Sea, Campbell River
Award of Excellence - Retail: Island Optimal Health/Moksha Yoga, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Commercial, Renovation: Real Estate Webmasters, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Industrial: McGregor Thompson, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Industrial, Renovation: Trojan Collision Centre, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Community Recreational: Comox Valley Child Development Sensory Room, Courtenay
Award of Excellence - Hospitality: Qualicum Beach Inn
Award of Excellence - Mixed-Use: Co-op Parksville Gas Bar
Recent Winner - 2014
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Judges Choice and Hospitality Awards: Nanaimo Golf Clubhouse
Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Townhouse: The Waterfront at Mill Bay
Award of Excellence - Community Institutional: Cowichan Lake Library
Award of Excellence - Multi-Family Apartment: Madrona Green, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Community Institutional: Cumberland Library
Award of Excellence - Community Institutional, Fire Halls: Nanoose Bay Fire Hall
Award of Excellence - Office: Island Oral Facial and Implant Surgery, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Retail: Building D, Port Place Shopping Centre, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Retail, Auto: Mercedes-Benz/Smart, BMW/Mini, Subaru - Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Specialty Housing: Great-West Student Residences, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Industrial: Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Industrial/Service Commercial, Renovation: Andrew Sheret Ltd., Courtenay
Award of Excellence - Office Retail, Renovation: Target Renovation, Campbell River
Award of Excellence - Heritage, Renovation: The Rowe House, Nanaimo
Green Award - Gabriola Island Fire Hall
Recent Winner - 2013
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Judges Choice Award: Nanaimo Train Station, Nanaimo. Winner for the best overall entry
Award of Excellence – Industrial: Driftwood Place, Port Alberni
Award of Excellence – Senior/Assisted Housing: Ts’I’ts’uwatul’lelum Assisted Living, Duncan
Award of Excellence – Community Institutional: Alberni District Secondary School, Port Alberni
Award of Excellence – Retail: TD Bank & Country Grocer, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence – Commercial Reno: Auto Check Automotive Building, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence – Office Reno: Ramsay Lampman Rhodes Renovation, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence – Office: City of Nanaimo Service & Resource Centre, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence – Heritage: Nanaimo Train Station, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence – Community Enhancement: Mill Bay Marina
Recent Winner - 2012
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Judges Choice Award: Vancouver Island Visitors Centre, Courtenay. Winner for the best overall entry.
Award of Excellence - Education: Vancouver Island University (Cowichan Campus), Duncan
Award of Excellence - Hospitality: The Sabbatical, Ucluelet
Award of Excellence - Multi-Family: Stone's Throw Building 1, Parksville
Award of Excellence - Heritage Reno: 755 Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo
Award of Excellence - Industrial Reno: City Tile, Nanaimo
Award of Merit and Honourable Mention- Education: Ecole Mer-et-montagne, Comox
Award of Merit - Institutional: Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Centre, Comox Valley
Award of Merit - Retail: Port Place Mall Building C TD Bank, Nanaimo
Award of Merit - Community Enhancement: NIC Gathering Place, Campbell River
Finalist Award - Multi-Family: Millstone Pride, Nanaimo
Recent Winner - 2011
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Institutional: Brentwood College in Mill Bay & East Wellington Fire Hall of Nanaimo (Awards of Excellence); Ucluelet Community Centre of Ucluelet & BC Ferries Departure Bay Waiting Room in Nanaimo (Awards of Merit); North Island College Trades Training Facility in Courtenay (Finalist Award) and VIU Deep Bay Field Station Centre for Shell Research of Deep Bay (Finalist Award).
Industrial: BC Hydro Port Alberni Operations Facility in Port Alberni (Award of Excellence); Amazonite Corner in Duncan (Award of Merit); Rotor Maxx Support Ltd. in Parksville (Finalist Award); U-Lock Storage in Nanaimo (Finalist Award); and Building at 1965 and 1975 Bollinger Road in Nanaimo (Finalist Award).
Retail: Highland Village Shopping Centre Phase 2 in Comox (Award of Excellence); PostNet Business Centre in Parksville (Award of Merit); Thrifty Foods Shopping Plaza Expansion in Parksville (Finalist Award); Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Courtenay (Finalist Award); Island Honda in Courtenay (Finalist Award); and Metro Toyota in Duncan (Finalist Award).
Renovation: Nanaimo Maps & Charts Façade Upgrade in Nanaimo (Award of Excellence); University Village Shopping Centre of Nanaimo (Award of Merit); Native Sons Hall 1928 of Courtenay (Honorable Mention); and Valley Vision Optometry in Port Alberni (Finalist Award).
Mixed Use: Terra Verde of Qualicum Beach (Award of Excellence); Rutherford Ridge of Nanaimo (Award of Merit); City Centre Condos of Nanaimo (Honorable Mention); and Seven Sails in Nanaimo (Finalist Award).
Office: HUU-AY-AHT Multi-Purpose Building in Bamfield (Award of Excellence); and the building at 1650 Terminal Avenue in Nanaimo (Award of Merit).
Multi Family - Townhose: Maveric Place in Nanaimo (Award of Excellence); and Sun Meadows at Cottle Creek on Mercedes Way of Nanaimo (Award of Merit).
Multi Family - Condo: Thornbridge at Longwood in Nanaimo (Award of Excellence); and Meredith Court in Nanaimo (Award of Merit).
Seniors Housing: Oak Tree Manor in Nanaimo (Award of Merit).
Community Enhancement: North Island College Gathering Place in Port Alberni (Award of Excellence); Waterfront Walkway, Phase II in Parksville (Award of Merit); Seine Floats Washroom Building in Port Hardy (Finalist Award); and Amphitheatre at Bowen Park in Nanaimo (Finalist Award).
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