Saturday, June 19, 2010

The influencers: BC's Most Influential People in Residential Construction Industry

What do Rich Coleman, Larry Beasley, Tsur Sommerville, Cameron Muir, Mayor Dianne Watts, Michael Geller and 14 other people around BC have in common? We were all recognized at a luncheon on Friday June 18, 2010 as the 20 most influential people in BC's residential construction industry by the Canadian Home Builders' Association and BC Homes Magazine.

While I question whether I belong on this list, I was honoured to be selected. There is no doubt that many of those recognized are important players. The following is an excerpt from a recent write-up in BC Homes Magazine, along with some of the names on the list with whom I have happily dealt with in the recent years.

BC’s Most Influential People in Residential Construction

The Influencers

The Inflluencers With the recession lifting, housing starts set to rebound and steady real estate prices even amid new regulations, it’s an interesting time in residential construction in British Columbia, to say the least. The industry is the driving force of the provincial economy, and it counts many movers and shakers who are making a real difference in its success. You can call them the industry’s leaders, allstars, changemakers or, simply, British Columbia’s 20 Most Influential People in Residential Construction of 2010. From builders to renovators to architects, this year’s top 20 have been nominated by their peers, and selected by BC Homes Magazine for their ability to continually shape and build the industry. Some have been recognized here before, some are new, but all have undeniably had an impact on our province from the ground up and beyond.

NORM COUTTIE
LOW-RISE WINNER

Norm Couttie

In a career spanning 25 years, Norm Couttie has had his fingers in diverse development projects, from an entire new resource community in northern British Columbia to a killer whale pool at the Vancouver Aquarium. Today, Couttie is president of Adera Development Corporation, a major player in the residential construction industry, and a leader in innovative, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, low-rise condominiums.

“I don’t think I’ve consciously tried to make a difference [in the industry], but, occasionally, my voice gets heard,” admits Couttie modestly.

LARRY BEASLEY
VISION FULFILLMENT

Larry Beasley

Larry Beasley’s influence is felt globally for what he has achieved locally. His “Vancouver model” of urban planning and design is the benchmark for many urban cities around the world, including in the United States, Australia and China.

As a former city planner with the City of Vancouver, Beasley’s effective land use, transportation and development plans have dramatically reshaped Metro Vancouver into a well-planned, livable metropolitan community. With his vision of a vibrant urban core, where work, home, amenities and entertainment are all within walking distance of each other, it’s no surprise his work was recognized among the World’s 100 Best Planning Practices by the United Nations.

IAN GILLESPIE
KING OF CONDOS

Ian Gillespie

The youthful president and owner of Westbank Projects Corp. seems to prefer to stay out of the limelight, but it’s not because of a lack of confidence. You could hardly be meek in the business of building luxury condos, towers and hotels. As such, it’s no surprise that Ian Gillespie is considered an industry leader among his peers and one of Canada’s most innovative developers.

He has been responsible for many of Vancouver’s most striking and significant residential and mixed-use projects. Notable projects include the Residences on Georgia, the Palisades, the Shangri-La, the Woodward’s Project, Fairmont Pacific Rim Estates and the 450-foot Shaw Tower.

Gillespie certainly has the golden touch, in both the creation of his high-end buildings and their financial success.

TSUR SOMERVILLE
ACADEMIC ADVANTAGE

Tsur Somerville

While there are many people offering housing and real estate analysis in Metro Vancouver, Tsur Somerville is one of the most respected. His opinions are always based on experience and knowledge, and extensive research.

Somerville is director of the UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate, associate professor of strategy and business economics, and holder of the Real Estate Foundation professorship in real estate finance at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. His current research interest focuses on real estate development and housing markets.

He downplays his influence on the industry, however, claiming it’s just part of his job. “My job is to train students interested in real estate and create opportunities for them, and give the academic perspective on events occurring in our housing markets.”

RICH COLEMAN
HOUSING MATTERS

Rich Coleman

Housing matters to Rich Coleman. It has to — he’s B.C.’s minister responsible for it. But just because it falls under his job description, it doesn’t make his contributions to housing in B.C. any less significant.

Coleman, who was elected to represent the riding of Fort Langley-Aldergrove in 1996, then 2001, 2005 and 2009, is the minister of Housing and Social Development. In 2006, he introduced the new provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC, providing innovative housing programs for those in greatest need.

“Our government is helping British Columbians who are dealing with homelessness by creating jobs and building resources to support future growth and housing opportunities,” Coleman has said. “Through partnerships, we are delivering on our commitment to provide shelter and supports.”

Under his direction, since 2001, more than 13,500 units of subsidized housing have been created in B.C. and the provincial share of the budget for affordable housing and shelter has more than tripled.

DIANNE WATTS
FROM THE GROUND UP

Dianne Watts

With Mayor Dianne Watts at the helm, Surrey is open for business, and residential construction is a big part of that.

“The residential construction industry is a critical component of our vision for Surrey,” says the mayor. “We want to create liveable, walkable, sustainable and visually appealing communities — communities that our residents are proud to call home.”

But, as mayor, she must think more broadly than just housing. “I strongly believe that balancing growth, investment and job creation, while protecting the environment is the foundation for sustainable communities.”

That’s difficult enough, but throw in poor economic times, and the mayor’s challenges are multiplied. “Right now we are faced with challenging economic times, but Surrey saw economic increases in the second half of 2009, so I believe that we are on track for a strong recovery.”

Under her leadership, the city provided economic incentives to encourage development, including incentives for residential development applications, such as a 50 per cent reduction in building permit fees.

MICHAEL GELLER
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Michael Geller

Michael Geller begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting is many things — an avid traveller (he blogged his observations about housing around the world while on a sabbatical), a would-be politician (he ran, albeit unsuccessfully, for Vancouver City Council), an influential public servant (he worked for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporate for a decade), an independent consultant, architect and developer (as head of the Geller Group) and a visionary urban planner (as a leader in the development of SFU’s sustainable planned community UniverCity atop Burnaby Mountain).

One of the top 20 industry shapers in B.C.? There is no doubt.

“I have consciously tried to make a difference in the housing industry by promoting public awareness of alternative forms of housing,” says Geller, who is regularly invited to speak to various organizations, and appears in print and broadcast media, in addition to his blog.

As an adjunct professor at SFU’s Centre for Sustainable Community Development, he has also taught future housing professionals about more sustainable forms of housing and tried to incorporate more innovative housing ideas in his own projects.

“In the next decade, I believe that many of the ideas I am promoting will become realities. These include new forms of higher density ground-oriented housing, innovative infill developments, apartments designed for families with children, and more choices for empty nesters and seniors wanting to move out of their single family homes, while remaining in their neighbourhoods.”

Geller also anticipates greater use of prefabricated construction, including modular housing, as a way to reduce costs and create new housing choices.

Others on the list include educators, technical experts, senior CHBA officials and officers and a number of well known names in the city.

To read the full story, go to http://www.bchomesmag.com/Features/10-04-08/The_Influencers.aspx?p=1



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