Awards of Excellence Winners!

The Awards of Excellence program, put on by the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids (HBAGGR) and sponsored by Cosmopolitan Home Magazine, offered each home in the Fall Parade the opportunity to win awards for Best Kitchen, Best Floor Plan, Best Curb Appeal and Best Interior Elements for their price range.  Judged by a panel of industry experts, the Awards of Excellence are sought after by the Parade of Homes participants and are a great way to receive recognition for their expertise in design and craftsmanship. We are proud to announce that our two entries nearly swept their price categories!

The Hasserton
($750,001+ category)
• People's Choice
• Best Interior Elements
• Best Kitchen
• Best Floor Plan
• Best Curb Appeal

Built by Scott Christopher Homes, Architecture & Interior Architecture by Visbeen Architects, Interior Design by Jeffery Roberts Design



The Lenox
($500,001-$750,000 category)
• Best Interior Elements
• Best Kitchen
• Best Floor Plan

Built by Falcon Custom Homes, Architecture & Interior Architecture by Visbeen Architects, Interior Design by Gallery Interiors




Congratulations to both of the teams that helped turn these designs on paper into real-life, award-winning masterpieces!

West Michigan home building groups team up for Fall Parade of Homes tour

The HBA Fall Parade of Homes is right around the corner and mLive.com did a nice write-up on the event, including a spotlight image of one of our parade homes on Silver Lake in Rockford, the Hasserton.  Thank you mLive!

Stay tuned next week for a preview of our designs in the Fall Parade this year!

West Michigan home building groups team up for Fall Parade of Homes tour

Published: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 3:15 PM     Updated: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 5:29 PM

 By Jim Harger | jharger@mlive.com 
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Courtesy renderingThis $1 million-plus home on Silver Lake near Rockford is one of 27 new homes featured on the Fall Tour of Homes. Designed by Visbeen Associates and Jeffrey Roberts, this home is being built by Scott Christopher Homes.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Two West Michigan home building groups announced Thursday they will display 27 new homes, two remodeled homes and two “conceptual” homes on their Fall Parade of Homes this year.

The parade, which will run from Oct. 5 through Oct. 20, will feature homes in 17 different communities, including Ada, Algoma, Allendale, Alto, Blendon Twp., Byron Center, Fennville, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Hudsonville, Lowell, Nunica, and Rockford.

The annual Fall Parade of Homes is being presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids, the Lakeshore Homebuilders Association and Lake Michigan Credit Union. It's a new collaboration between the homebuilders.

“We are very excited with the new partnership between the two associations," said Emily Seibert, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids. "We have homes all around West Michigan, from lakefront properties to downtown Grand Rapids”

The parade will feature residences in 17 different communities and prices of the houses will range from $100,000 to more than $2 million. The entries will feature the latest trends in building styles, green practices, custom details, unique floor coverings, wall treatments, quality products, and landscaping.

New homes will be open for touring on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Remodeled homes will be open for touring on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets for the parade are available for $10 in advance when purchased at a Lake Michigan Credit Union branch. Tickets can be purchased online for $11 or for $12 when purchased at a parade home. Children 12 and under are free.

Ticket purchases will include the official Parade Guide with maps, a coupon for five dollars in gas from Meijer Inc. and admission to tour any home in the Kalamazoo Parade of Homes. Tickets purchased online or at Lake Michigan Credit Unions will also receive 20 percent off dining at select Gilmore Collection restaurants.

Standale Interiors, radio station Star 105.7-FM and the home builders also are sponsoring VIP bus tours on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

For more information on the Parade of Homes, contact the HBAGGR at (616) 281-2021, or view the Parade online at www.ParadeOfHomesMi.com. 
E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JHHarger

Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence Winners!

Two of our parade designs are Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence winners!  Thank you to everyone who visited the homes we are so proud of designing and to the panel of industry judges who deemed them award-worthy!  The Warren & Pine Valley were given the following honors...

Warren • Best Curb Appeal ($500,001 - $750,000)

Built by Insignia Homes  •  Interior design by Francesca Owings

Pine Valley • Best Floor Plan ($400,001 - $500,000)

Built by Tim Schollaart Builder LLC

Congratulations to everyone involved!

GR Spring Parade of Homes: Domenico

It's spring and you know what that means - it's time for the Parade of Homes!  We have three lovely abodes featured in this year's Greater Grand Rapids Spring Parade sponsored by the HBA, the first of which is the Domenico.  This stunning Infiniti home, designed by Visbeen Associates, melds old and new with ease. Terra cotta rooftops and stone archways shade a spacious veranda, hinting at the flavors of Tuscany. This is no simple stone cottage, however. Extreme attention to detail has produced an old world design with state-of-the-art functionality. 

The main floor of the home fans out from key gathering spaces – the living and dining rooms. The attached kitchen accommodates both chef and guests alike. Adjacent sitting areas are found both inside and on an outdoor covered patio.  

The upper level features a master wing, complete with dual walk-in closets, master bath, and living space. There are three additional bedrooms on this floor. The lower level offers even more living space. Hearth and card table add character to the family room, along with a bar and kitchenette. A guest room and shared bath complete this family villa.

The Domenico will be one of the sites for the Chefs on Parade events on May 31 & June 7, so don't miss out on your opportunity to experience great food and great design at the same time!

Fall Parade of Homes

The Fall Parade of Homes by the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids begins tomorrow, October 7, and goes through October 22. Take this opportunity to check out these two outstanding residences designed by Visbeen Associates!

The first residence is the Haverhill:

Exterior rendering of the Haverhill

The “Haverhill” is a simply elegant Georgian-style home. Symmetry and order are balanced by decorative details, all of which contribute to the authenticity of the design. Arched rooflines, copper dormers and stone masonry are just a few of the creative touches found on this home’s exterior.

Inside, living spaces are comfortable and open, with the kitchen, dining, sitting, and living areas connected. Multiple office and workspaces, as well as a screened porch and large patio are also included on in the main level floor plan.

The upper level features a large master bedroom, bathroom and connected laundry facility, as well as a home office and double en suite guest rooms.

The second residence is the Broadway:

Interior sketch of the bar at the Broadway

When you imagine a single floor, sky-rise living unit, it is not often that you picture a two-bedroom, four-bath luxury home. The “Broadway” will transform your definition of “apartment,” and might even convince you that city living is the way to go.

The master bedroom is opulently appointed, and includes a hearth area, Jacuzzi, and extensive walk-in closet. Adjacent is the kitchen and dining areas, which feature bar seating, a pantry and ample counter space for food preparation and entertaining. A comfortable home office is partitioned off from the sitting room, which leads out onto a private terrace.

Leading into the opposite wing of the home is a unique refreshment and kitchenette area. This large bar is situated along a bank of curving windows, giving residents a stunning view of the city below. Conveniently located around the corner is the recreation room, with space for billiards, game tables and a home theater. The guest bedroom, bathrooms, laundry, second terrace, and private study occupy the remainder of this extraordinary dwelling place.

Don't miss out on catching these gems at the Parade of Homes!
October 7 - October 22
Fridays, Saturdays, and Wednesdays: 1-8 pm

Fall Parade of Homes: Haverhill

Included in this year's Fall Parade of Homes by the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids are two fabulous, yet very different residences designed by Visbeen Associates. The first of which is called the Haverhill and is in East Grand Rapids. Colonial in style, the Haverhill relies on classic lines and a pleasing symmetrical facade. A welcoming front door with transom windows and sidelights users guests inside, where a modern floor plan complements the home's historically inspired past. The main level features an open floor plan, with a central kitchen and dining area, a home office and formal living space with fireplace. A screened porch overlooks the backyard and leads to the spacious garage. Upstairs is a private master suite, two additional bedrooms and a family office. The lower level offers an exercise room, game space, family room and two bonus areas. Here is a little sneak peak of this stunning residence with photos taken at a private event at the home last week.

Exterior rendering of the Haverhill

Family room off of the kitchen turned into bar area for the private party

The open floor plan was the perfect layout for this party

Can't be a party without delicious food!

More delectables displayed on the butcher block kitchen island

Schmoozing in the kitchen / dining area

Guitar and viola music filled the home with the perfect ambiance

Don't miss your opportunity to tour this beautiful home as a part of the Parade of Homes starting this Friday, October 7 through October 22!