Kimberley Homes: Building the Finest Homes & Relationships

BUILDING THE FINEST HOMES AND RELATIONSHIPS

By Nerissa McNaughton

Kimberley, proud owner of five Home Builder of the Year awards from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (Edmonton Region), celebrates 25 years.

Kimberley was voted Edmonton’s Builder of the Year five times in the past six years.

I

n the same way a home is made up of many parts, the products Kimberley creates are made up of many relationships. The company builds a personal relationship with clients, stakeholders, staff and suppliers because this is what goes into creating the perfect home. The end result is more than walls and a roof. It’s a high-quality, well-planned, detailed space where the owner feels right at home from the first time he or she opens the door.

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The Buena Vista CustomBuilt model, features soaring two-storey ceilings and stone fireplace, and is one of Kimberley’s newest showhomes. You can find it in the prominent neighbourhood of Jagare Ridge, the first new golf community in Edmonton in over 20 years.

Dave Jewett founded Kimberley in 1989. “Dave always had a passion for housing, was involved in housing and construction in various forms in the early stages of his career and had an extensive background in marketing,” explains president Steve Ruggiero. “He reached a point in life where he wanted to accomplish something special, so he founded Kimberley Management Ltd., which became Kimberley Homes.”

The company name is the result of inspiration. While Jewett and his wife, Donna, were searching for the company name, they took a family holiday in British Columbia. Their trip took them through Kimberley, B.C. The natural beauty of the city, the beautiful day and being surrounded by family simultaneously struck a chord with Jewett. “Why don’t you write that one down,” he suggested to Donna. Soon after, the name was still resonating, so it became the name of their company.

“Every builder says they focus on quality, but there are very few players in the market that truly have quality control at the forefront of everything that they do,” says Ruggiero. “We’re not scared to pay what’s required to have the best trades. We pride ourselves on not overloading our superintendents so they can deliver, time after time, industry

Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

leading product. We have a very consultative process with our clients, right from day one. We provide opportunities to meet with our senior team and with construction staff during regular visits to the home. We really value the quality of the relationship with the customer, equal to the quality of the homes we produce. We pride ourselves on high levels of quality control, and making the homes the best they can be when we turn them over. We have a strong after possession service program and when we look at feedback from our customers, we are consistently told that we deliver on the value promised.”

Although Kimberley builds townhomes, single detached and custom homes, the majority of their projects (with the exception of multi-family products) are customized. “We have an extensive collection of standard models and allow for some customization to these plans. Our CustomBuilt collection offers a totally customized building experience and accounts for about 20 per cent of our current volume,” Ruggiero explains. In this way, Kimberley caters to both new buyers and those on their second, third or even fourth move-up purchase.

Although Kimberley has produced many successful models over the years, the most notable is the New Hampshire plan. “There are elements of that design that are, without question, trademarks of the Kimberley brand,” says Ruggiero.

The New Hampshire starts at 2,823 square feet over two storeys. Standard features include Kimberley’s signature open-rise staircase and multi-level floor plan, a chef ’s kitchen complete with two islands and a walk-through pantry, a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, spa ensuite, walk-in closets and more. As seen in the New Hampshire, those

Kimberley’s innovative townhomes in the prestigious Larch Park neighbourhood showcase the benefits – and beauty – of the City of Edmonton’s new street-oriented revisions to the zoning bylaws.

The Intrigue (and Essence) models in Larch Park feature granite and quartz countertops, upgraded hardwood and tile, and luxurious finishes throughout the home. This is not your average townhome!

Congratulations on 25 years of building breathtaking living spaces

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Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

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Ruggiero says of his team, here pictured with their 2014 Builder of the Year award: “if you surround yourself with great people, great things will happen.”

hallmark Kimberley features are built with flow, convenience and style in mind – before adding those extra-special touches such as see-through fireplaces and ample space for a home theatre, downstairs bar, or fitness room.

The New Hampshire is among the most popular models, but there have always been ones that stood out over the years – and ones that made history. Ruggiero explains, “When I think of homes that define us, there are three that come to mind from the earlier years. The first is the Davidson. For the early 1990s, it had a spectacular front elevation and won an award for best exterior. It was a spectacular home, and it was on the front of the majority of our brochures back in those days.

“Another model from the archives is the Ascot. We still build a variation of it today. What was really unique about the Ascot, going back to the late 1990s, is that it was the first bonus room concept model built in the city of Edmonton.

That home is what started the trend of homes with large bonus rooms over the garage. It became a home that set a trend that is still prominent today and was hugely successful for us.

“And again, the New Hampshire has been our flagship model for many years and still remains very popular. It has won a number of awards for us over the years, including an award for the most popular selling home/model in the city in 2007.”

Although Kimberley has initiated many industry firsts and has had many memorable models over the years, they have not yet peaked in terms of what they can do and build; and they don’t plan on reaching this pinnacle any time soon. Like each floor plan, they adapt, move and flow with the times, intent on setting the pace and the rules of the industry.

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Kimberley is proud of their involvement with the Cash & Cars Lottery over the past five years in support of cancer research. The 2014 Lottery Home opened to the public in August.

“Our Kimberley Communities Larch Park townhomes project is one of the most challenging and outstanding developments we’ve ever been a part of,” confirms Ruggiero of the in-development project. “They are very high-end, customdesigned townhomes with prices reaching well over $500K. It’s a product that was designed specifically for that site in partnership with Melcor Developments.” As recently as last summer this project was blogged about by Mayor Don Iveson and complimented for its creativity and innovation.

Strong companies are built by strong teams and at Kimberley, that’s no exception. The staff includes long-term member Sharon, who just celebrated 18 years with the company. “At the time Sharon started, the company was still quite small.

She started long before I was here,” smiles Ruggiero. “She began as a combined reception, administrative assistant, office

Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

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Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

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manager, Jill-of-all-trades. She and Susan – another longtime employee – were the only office staff back then. Garry, our current VP of construction started with us in the field about 17 years ago as well. I think it’s a testament to our environment and our values that these stellar individuals have chosen to link their careers and future with ours.”

Kimberley staff enjoy a strong benefits package, group RRSP program, reward trips, golf, fishing and other activities (depending on position and tenure). To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the entire staff and their spouses will be treated to a vacation in Las Vegas.

It’s not just the staff that Kimberley gives back to, it’s also the community. “There are a number of charities that we support both publicly and privately,” says Ruggiero. “On a public front we are big supporters of cancer research through the Cash & Cars lottery program and to date have donated over $500,000 to the charity over the past five years through the construction of the charity’s grand prize lottery home. We annually hold the Kimberley Homes Golf Classic tournament for irritable bowel disease, which has raised over $500,000 for the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation in the last two years towards research done right here in Edmonton.”

Whether it’s a townhome or a single family home, a luxury custom-built estate plan or a sprawling acreage home, an infill or a show home, each and every Kimberley home is an experience. The passion of the past and present leadership backed by an enthusiastic team, the top names in all applicable trades, and the creativity of the designers are what every customer experiences.

“We’re at a point of reflection, while also planning on the road ahead, ultimately setting the stage for the next 25 years,” says Ruggiero of the company’s future. “At the end of the day

we are moving into the next chapter, positioning ourselves for growth to build in excess of 100 homes a year while never losing sight of the importance of people, our team, our partners and our clients. We are in the process of designing and building a new office building for our company. In terms of product, it’s kind of funny how you go back to where you started. We are placing a renewed focus on the infill market, while also continuing to expand what we do from a multifamily perspective.

“Also, we are really focusing on continuing to build a great team that is relentlessly dedicated to our vision, mission, philosophy and core values. It all comes down to controlled growth and having a team that is dynamic, receptive to new ideas, concepts and continuing change.”

Ruggiero thanks founder Dave Jewett for his support and mentorship. “We would not be where we are today without Dave’s vision and guidance.” When asked about other mentors, Ruggiero also pays tribute to Jim Brown of Sherrick Management Ltd. “I was very fortunate to start working with Jim early on in my career. I learned a lot from him about what defines great relationships and I have always respected his sincerity and how fairly he treats people,” remarks Ruggiero. “I really admire his vision for the communities that he builds.” He also thanks all those the company has worked hard to build relationships with over the years. “The single focus of our business is people. Without a great team – staff, suppliers, land developer partners, and clients – we wouldn’t be where we are today. I’m a big believer that if you surround yourself with great people, great things will happen. I think that’s why we have such a tremendous future ahead of us.”

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Congratulations on 25 years Kimberley Homes

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Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

Congratulations

Kimberley Homes on your 25th Anniversary.

Congratulations!

MNP proudly congratulates our client, Kimberly Homes on 25 years of success.

Contact Ian B. MacDonald, CA at 780.451.4406 or ian.macdonald@mnp.ca

Kimberley Homes | 25 Years

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Congratulations Kimberley Homes on 25 years in the industry.

We wish you many more years of success.